"Guardian Angel" Must be 18 or older to continue.
CHAPTER ONE
He hadn’t slept. Voices in his head warned him to be ready. Soon the Guardian would be needed. The dreams had gotten more frequent since he’d lost his eyesight.
The sound of the doorbell interrupted his thoughts.
It seemed louder to him now, as did all sounds. Darkness surrounded Aidan Campbell like a shroud. He still hadn’t come to terms with it.
There wasn’t just one kind. No, he had the worst of the two. Dry Macular Degeneration.
The doorbell rang again. He didn’t want visitors. Street noises filtered in through the window, idiots running here and there, in a hurry to get nowhere. Never one to be in a big rush, Aidan sat perfectly still, hoping whoever it was would go away. He heard a soft rustling then a timid knock.
“Mr. Campbell, are you there?”
Aidan turned his head to the right, tuning in a female voice with the hint of a southern accent. She cleared her throat and knocked a little stronger this time.
“Aidan Campbell, I’m your visiting nurse.”
He frowned. “Why doesn’t she announce it to the world?” he mumbled and rose from his favorite chair by the window.
Another ring and two more knocks followed. He cursed under his breath when he tripped over a stack of magazines or newspapers, he wasn’t sure which.
“Dammit, woman, I’m blind, not deaf!”
Frozen with her hand in mid air getting ready to knock again, Lily Portell’s wide-eyed astonishment was hers alone when the door swung open. There stood six-foot-two inches of classical-boned man, with dark hair, a surly scowl and the most beautiful blue eyes she’d ever seen—her next appointment. Breathing deep, she recovered. “Aidan Campbell?”
“So it seems,” he replied dryly.
“I’m sorry, I heard you stumble. I didn’t mean to make you hurry.”
“I stumble often these days. What is it you want?”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“You keep saying that. What is it exactly you’re sorry for anyway?”
At first, Lily didn’t know how to answer. She cleared her throat and glared at the striking man as he leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb. “Uh, I’m with the home health agency. I’m here to check on your progress and discuss how you’re coping.”
He straightened. “Lady, how do you think I’m coping? One day my doctor informs me my eyesight is diminishing, gradually. Two months ago, I open my eyes, and all I see is black. Black!” he growled.
“Mr. Campbell, I—”
“Go away. I don’t need you here.”
He turned to slam the door, but it didn’t catch and bounced open. Lily caught it and walked into the foyer before gently closing it behind her. Aidan moved away from her, down a small hallway, which led to the kitchen. Carrying her black bag, Lily followed. He mumbled something she couldn’t make out.
She stared, amazed at the magnificent paintings that lined the soft green walls. Light spilled into a huge breakfast area off the kitchen. Both rooms were extremely bright, and bold colors jumped out at her when she stepped onto the wood floor. “Oh, my.”
Aidan, who’d been fumbling in an effort to make some coffee, halted. The woman’s breathless whisper was like a trumpet to his ears. “Didn’t I tell you to go away?” He heard her feet shuffle.
“Yes, but I didn’t think you really meant it. I have a job to do.”
“Go do it somewhere else.”
“Mr. Campbell.”
Aidan heard the exasperation in her voice. His temper rose a notch. “I don’t need your pity. I don’t want you here. Leave!”
“If you would quit grumbling and being rude, you’d notice that I have no pity for you.” Her voice stronger now, more in control.
He dropped the coffee pot in the sink and moved around the corner of the island toward the French doors that led outside.
“I’ve one more stop to make after this, and I’d like to be home by six, so I can spend time with Rocky. If you will sit down, I’ll take your vitals, ask you a few questions, and be on my way.”
Lily stood with her arms crossing her chest, not believing how she’d just spoken to this patient. He had reason to be upset. She was a fool to think she could go from being a trauma nurse at Los Angeles Community Hospital, to a quiet country-style setting without there being a few rough edges to smooth out.
Campbell had his hands in the back pocket of his jeans. She couldn’t help but notice how snugly they fit him in all the right places. The indigo shirt he wore pulled taut across his chest, highlighting well-toned ribcage and lean abs.
Lord, she was tired, and sizing this guy up, literally.
She shook her head. “Mr. Campbell?”
He cocked his head to one side pinpointing her location, she guessed. Lily slid a barstool away from the island and opened her bag. It took several seconds, but he slowly worked his way over to the stool, lightly touching it with his fingers before he sat down.
Her breast brushed against his shoulder when she twisted around to get the blood pressure cuff off the counter. A jolt tore through her body. Her head swung in his direction, but he just sat there calmly, frowning.
Something had happened and he wasn’t quite sure what to think. Unsettled though he was by her appearance on his doorstep, he found it hard to threaten her to leave. He’d done all he could but she refused to be intimidated by his shit. A soft buzzing on the edge of his consciousness distracted him. For the first time in weeks, he saw color—her color. The shade shifted from goldenrod to apricot and back. Only his imagination he thought. A phantom condition similar to what amputees go through months after having a limb amputated. And was that a soft breast that bumped his arm? That brief contact livened up feelings and sensations he’d not had in a long time.
She smelled wonderful. Not only had his sense of hearing heightened, but all the others as well. Coffee smelled better now and the flowers that bloomed outside his bedroom window woke him in the morning with their sweet scent. What would she feel like? Was her skin soft and smooth? If he nuzzled her neck, would she purr? Would she taste tart or like honey?
“What’s your name?”
“Lily—Lily Portell.”
“Where is your next appointment?”
“Carmel.”
“And how far from there to home?”
“Not far.”
“You won’t make it by six.”
Curious, Lily glanced at Aidan’s wrist to find no watch. She scanned the room and found no ticking clock. “How do you know I won’t make it?”
“Because it’s after five already.”
Again, she looked around but saw nothing that would give him the time. Her own watch showed five-twenty. “How did you know?”
“The sun.”
“Excuse me, the sun?”
“Yes,” he replied calmly.
“Would you care to elaborate?” She finished taking his blood pressure and wrote down the results interested in what he had to say.
“I know because of the position of the sun shining through the window.”
Still not totally understanding, Lily glared at the Palladian windows for a moment then stuck her tympanic thermometer in his ear for a temperature. “The sun,” she chuckled finally understanding.
“It is the ancient way of telling time,” he commented wryly. “You know, before there were clocks or watches.”
Lily took a closer look at the kitchen. She had to admit Aidan Campbell had good taste. From what little she’d seen of his home so far, she determined him to be sophisticated, intelligent and somewhat arrogant.
“I’m going to take your pulse.” She laid her fingers against his wrist, noting the jump in his pulse. His breaths came more rapidly. He stared straight and when her leg skimmed his thigh, he flinched.
Curious, his thigh, like the rest of him, felt rock hard. Lily couldn’t quite figure out the exact color of his sightless eyes. A blue, definitely, but the shade shifted, an odd flowing color, ancient.
The paintings on each wall drew her attention. They were incredible depictions of landscapes, people, places and things.
While she marked more information on his chart, Beethoven’s Fifth blew out of her purse in short bursts.
“Hello? Yes, Lisa, I’m almost finished here then I’ll go by and see Mrs. Peters. It did? Great. Okay, tomorrow then, good night.”
Lily tossed her cell phone back in her purse before noticing the lopsided smile on Aidan’s face. “You’re smiling.”
“Am I?”
“Mmm.”
“Beethoven?”
She shifted her position to look at him. “Just because I wear mismatched earrings, a ponytail, and have a tattoo, doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate culture, Mr. Campbell.”
He seemed stunned. Lily Portell gave as good as she got. Of course, she’d forgotten that he couldn’t see what she looked like. “I’m done with the vitals. Would you like to stay here and talk or should we go somewhere more comfortable?”
“You’re quite the package, Ms. Portell.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Your temper, your stubbornness, and any number of other reasons, I’m sure.”
Lily chose to ignore his sarcasm. She scanned the sink full of dirty dishes, the magazines and newspapers that littered the floors as though he’d just thrown them wherever, and the two empty bottles of Jack Daniels laying on the counter. “By the look of these surroundings,” she said as she walked a circle around the stool where he sat. “You’re not adjusting well to your new life.”
“I have no life.”
Despair and anguish tainted his voice. At that moment, a tremendous urge to caress his face overwhelmed Lily. She wanted to run her fingers across his brow and down the line of his strong jaw. Before she lost all control, she cautiously wandered through heavy steel doors into the next room. One had a keypad on it. Alarm system or locking mechanism? She found easels, and canvas piled in corners and against walls, each picture or project at a different stage of completeness. Paints, brushes and sponges lay haphazardly on a worktable. She toyed with colorful tubes and swaths of material draped across wooden forms.
“What do you call this room?” she hollered out to Aidan.
“Unnecessary,” he answered softly from close behind her.
Lily hadn’t realized he’d followed her into the room. “You’re wrong. I believe it is stimulating.”
“I thought you wanted to get home,” he said.
“My next appointment canceled. I can stay a few more minutes. Besides, I haven’t asked all my questions yet.”
He stood silent. She didn’t know what compelled her to stay. She wanted to learn more about him. Aidan Campbell seemed as lost as she was, and that appealed to her in a nurturing way. “What is this room?”
Aidan’s jaw clenched. “It was my work place.”
“And what do you do here?”
He lazily handled one of the brushes from the table. “I don’t see the point in this interrogation.” The brush slipped through his fingers and clattered to the floor. “There’s nothing here of any use to me now.”
The quiet intensity in his voice gave Lily a glimpse of the passionate nature simmering under the surface. She moved up next to him, closing the hand which had held the brush, between her fingers. He jerked, but didn’t pull away. His amazing eyes turned toward her.
“What did you do here, Aidan?”
He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. Turning his back to her, he walked to the center of the room like a path he’d walked a hundred times before. “I unearthed beauty and restored it to its natural state.”
Confusion, a definite companion for Lily since she’d arrived, again made her feel like an idiot. She couldn’t say whether Aidan had sensed it, but he provided further explanation.
“I restored paintings for museums and private collectors.”
Now Lily understood the reason for the Q-tips, cotton and various chemicals lying on the tables. She counted ten different sized brushes and several boxes of surgical gloves, along with glasses that magnified and lamps with softer bulbs at the far end of the long table across the room.
Perched on an easel under the light was an exquisite abstract painting. She stared silently for a while, imagining herself there in the scene. “This one is beautiful.”
“It’s a Renoir,” Aidan offered.
“I can almost imagine being there, walking along the Seine with my hand hooked in the elbow of a smart dressed gentleman.”
“His work draws you in with its imagery.”
Lily marveled at the wondrous tone now lacing Aidan’s voice while he spoke about the artist.
“I’ve yet to call the owner to return it.”
“It fits here.” She smiled and tore her gaze away from the painting to look at Aidan, but he was gone. He’d left so quietly. She hadn’t heard him go. Or, was it because she’d been so ensnared by the painting?
The sun dipped lower in the sky. She ventured into the kitchen, but Aidan did not reappear. She gathered her bag and her stethoscope, and let herself out.
CHAPTER TWO
Lily slouched on the couch in her ratty pink sweatpants and purple tank top watching “I Love Lucy” reruns. She poked at her food, her appetite non-existent. Renoir, Van Gogh, Monet. She’d forgotten beauty and hope. Years of dealing with inhumanity and death stripped away her ideals, the desire to help people and do something good—gone. She’d been ready to give up nursing, exhausted by the never-ending tragedy, so much bloodshed and senseless death. Laurel talked her out of quitting. Her sister convinced her to move out of LA, to a quieter place.
“You need a break, Lily. Move up here by me. It’ll be fun. We can shop and hang out.” Laurel had worn her down until she agreed. Now, here she sat, staring at the bare walls of her modest one bedroom apartment. Her thoughts slipped back to earlier when she’d admired the beautiful pictures displayed in Aidan Campbell’s house.
Aidan Campbell, a brooding, skulking, bitter person. Who could blame him? It was a hell of a way to lose his sight. No wonder it seemed to him as if his life was over, constantly surrounded by exquisite beauty then thrown into darkness, never to experience that again. It had been part of him. She’d seen it in the painting he’d been restoring, in the canvases on the floor.
Lily set her fork down and closed her eyes. Although the television was muted, she heard static. In the distance, she picked up a faint hum. As she angled her head, she could tell it came from the kitchen, probably the refrigerator. The grandfather clock tapped out a steady rhythm. In the corner, the oscillating fan clicked as it shifted positions. The traffic outside grew in volume, and she heard an intense argument between a man and a woman on the street as they passed her building.
Mrs. Burn’s cat Chloe meowed soulfully wanting her dinner. Another cat responded from the alleyway. Each sound specific and more pronounced the longer her eyes stayed shut.
How amazing. Is this what Aidan heard? Is this what he felt when suddenly he had supersonic hearing? No, not him. This hadn’t been a silly experiment for Campbell; it had been a judgment, a sentence, and a punishment.
Lily slowly opened her eyes again, certain that somewhere inside, Aidan Campbell felt guilt or remorse. His anger justified in his predicament. Eyes, the color of a soft blue sky, would never again experience the joy of looking at a piece of art assessing how best to begin the cleaning.
A sudden urge to learn more about art restoration sent Lily to her computer. She accessed the library site. A couple of books on techniques would help her understand what Aidan Campbell missed then she could find a way to help him.
Thrown by this immediate need, Lily propped her feet on her square wooden table next to her computer terminal and leaned back. Why did it matter so much? She’d been drawn to him from the beginning, even though he’d been an ass. She’d dealt with worse. Yet, something she couldn’t put her finger on made her want to know him better.
After requesting three books, she found some articles on the net which offered a rare glimpse of the unique talent. You truly had to be some kind of artist to restore works of art. It wasn’t just a brush here, a swipe there; the restorer visualized the completed work then unveiled each section.
Excited, she shut down her computer. A little giddy to think she’d learned something about him, she ran to her bedroom and dug through her dresser drawers for an old bandana. To more fully understand the condition he dealt with everyday, she needed a test. She tied the lavender cloth tightly across her eyes and turned to walk back down the hall, her sight impeded by the cover. Right away, she plowed into the door, squashing her nose. With her hands straight out in front of her, Lily maneuvered herself down the hall by feeling her way. It wasn’t as easy as she’d imagined. Turning left into the kitchen, she jammed her knee on the chair and kicked the potato bin, cursing under her breath.
Stopping at the counter, she stood motionless and allowed her other senses to come alive. The ceiling fan rattled as it tossed warm air about the room. She heard a tin can clang across the concrete outside her window as an evening breeze whipped around the brick structure. Rocky, her two-year-old Boxer, stretched out under his favorite end table, soft snores drowning out the static from the television. A neighbor’s window unit air conditioner kicked on, sputtering for the first few seconds as though its motor didn’t have enough juice to keep going. These sounds were interesting, but the smells were what captured her attention.
The rich smell from the fresh ground coffee beans and Hazelnut creamer wafted her way from under the cabinets where they were stored. Scents of vanilla candles and strawberry jam that she’d left on the counter overwhelmed her. Lily even swore she smelled the Oreo cookies in the cookie jar near the end of the counter next to the stove.
She removed the blindfold and plopped down on the chair. Resting her chin on her hands, she blew out a breath. Aidan Campbell wouldn’t accept help easily. Driven by a desire she didn’t understand, Lily was determined to help him. It would be her quest.
***
“Stephen, I’m sure you’ll get another conservator,” Aidan assured the manager of The Rhoten Gallery.
“But not like you, Aidan, no one like you.”
Aidan switched the phone to his other ear. “I appreciate your support, but this is a turning point.” For both of us.
“I’m truly sorry, Aidan.”
“Please don’t apologize anymore. I don’t need it.” His voice sounded harsh even to his own ears. “I’m sorry too, Stephen. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.”
“I understand. I’ll speak to you again soon.”
“Sure, goodbye.”
Tomorrow would have been the biggest grand opening for the whole year at the museum. One more day that would have been a thrill to see, his restored work unveiled and showcased for everyone to enjoy.
Another reason to regret.
With his fingertips marking the spot, Aidan gently placed the receiver. This call had not been the first and would certainly not be the last. As word spread of his condition, well-wishers flooded him with calls. Fumbling around until he found the answering machine, he counted up to press the button that turned on the message center. He’d had enough of people today, back to quiet and solitude where he would wallow in self-pity and contemplate how cruel that bitch, Fate.
Maneuvering back to the study, he’d managed not to run into or break anything. A moment of triumph was quickly followed by a cold realization, him adjusting to this new life.
The weather had taken a turn and the temperature dropped enough to make him close the window he’d been sitting by these last weeks, listening to life go on outside.
G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
He stiffened. The hair on his arms rose and his fingers tingled for only an instant. Perhaps he hadn’t shut the window tightly and the whispered voices were coming from outside. Lightly touching familiar things, he felt his way and counted the number of footsteps it took to work his way to the credenza where he flicked on the stereo. The soulful sounds of Kenny G wrapped around him like a warm blanket, distracting him from the uncertainty.
G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
He spun around, that sounded closer. His ears strained to hear over the wailing saxophone, but it was gone. “First the eyesight, now my mind. Inevitable.”
The sun had almost set by the time Lily reached Aidan’s house. Without the sun, her teeth were chattering. The night air bit her skin and stung. Damn, I left my jacket at home.
Grumbling, she trudged up the steps and rang the doorbell. Amazingly, he opened it without the gruff greeting she’d gotten the other day.
“I thought I told you I didn’t want or need you here?”
“And I thought we resolved that this is my job and I’d do it whether you wanted me to or not.”
He crossed his thick-muscled arms over his chest, forming a blockade in the doorway.
“How did you know it was me anyway?”
“I heard a car drive up. I heard you grumbling, your teeth are making an awful racket, and I recognized your scent.”
Although she’d been ready to give him a stinging retort, the last thing he’d said stopped her. It had been soft and she wasn’t sure he’d said it, but she knew he had.
Sighing, he moved aside. “Come in before you freeze to death.”
“Thank you,” she said and scooted in between his body and the door. Her hip brushed his and a wave of heat washed through her. Another strange reaction to her patient, fueling an urge of lust.
“How is it that you can remember your bag of goodies, but not a jacket?” he asked as he led her down the hall to the kitchen.
“I haven’t lived here very long. I’m not familiar with the weather patterns, so I forgot it.”
H pulled out the stool for her as he passed by it and continued on around the counter without breaking stride, heading straight to the coffee pot which had just finished brewing.
Lily smiled and sat down. She watched Aidan pull two mugs out of the cabinet and move three steps to the refrigerator for creamer. He didn’t hesitate or falter and probably didn’t realize it either. He felt his way to the handle of the pot, laid his finger on the rim of the cup and poured the hot liquid. She almost jumped up to help him but decided against it when she saw how confident he was in his actions.
“Do you use creamer?”
“And sugar.”
Aidan brought her cup to her and set it down on the counter, and went back for the sugar and creamer. She poured a dollop of vanilla creamer in and several spoonfuls of sugar before appreciatively bringing the steaming contents to her mouth. Warmth ran down her throat into her stomach and into her veins and lower when he gazed at her with those incredible eyes…artist’s eyes.
“Better?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Where did you live before?”
She’d been staring at his mouth, watching him drink and wondering what those lips would taste like after being warmed by coffee…or kisses. “What?” she stammered and felt the blush heat up her face.
He frowned. “Before, where did you live? You said you hadn’t lived here long.”
“Oh, um, I moved here from LA.”
“Why?”
“My sister lives here.” She put her almost empty cup down and grabbed her bag. “So let’s get started.”
He sighed. “I’m not going to get rid of you, am I?”
“Not until we’re through.”
“You’re becoming an irritant,” he said, but made his way to the stool she’d just vacated. Again, he did it without hesitating.
“It’s not the first time I’ve heard that.”
“I’m sure,” he replied dryly.
Aidan had the sleeves of his shirt rolled up on his arms making it too thick to put the blood pressure cuff on.
“Can you slip your arm out of the shirt, please?”
He grunted but undid the buttons and took his left arm out. He straightened it letting it hang down. Her jaw dropped. His chest was the kind you saw in magnificent stone sculptures. The light dusting of dark hair tantalized her, coaxing her to touch him. Lily gently grabbed his arm to wrap the cuff around it and a slow, steady heat like the flow of lava, worked its way through her fingers and up her arm until it got to her breast where her nipple puckered out against the fabric of her shirt. His hand was nestled between her thighs and if either of them moved, she’d feel his intimate caress. Her breath caught in her throat and then sped up when she released it. What kind of woman was she to want to feel that, and from a patient no less? Still she admitted—if only to herself— that she did long for it.
Aidan leveled his sightless eyes but his clenched jaw and stiff shoulders told her he felt something, maybe it was just anger from having to go through this so-called humiliation. His blood pressure was fine and his respirations were steady, but when she laid her fingertips against his wrist, his pulse beat fast and strong.
“So I’ve noticed that you are taking steps to function somewhat normally.”
“You mean adjust.”
“Well, you were upset when I suggested it before, so I didn’t want to bring up an unpleasant thought.” She backed away from him to write down the information on his chart.
“If you are trying to ask if I’m past the denial stage, yes.” He put his shirt back on. “Am I past the anger, no!” He got up and walked a few steps away from her. “If you’re done, I’ll show you out.”
“I’m not done.” She knew this part would be more difficult. “I still have my questions.”
“I’ve answered everything I intend to.”
“Then I’ll be doing a lot of talking by myself,” she said and started toward the other room where he worked.
“Where are you going?” He came after her.
“I love this room and since I’m going to be doing all the talking, I thought I’d like to talk in here.”
Stopping in the doorway he said, “You’re quite forward for being a guest in my home.”
“Am I?”
“What do you really want, Ms. Portell?”
She sighed. “You’re very suspicious.”
“Am I?” He threw her words right back at her.
She shuffled through the canvases lying around the room until she found one that caught her interest. “This is incredible.”
“Ms. Portell.”
“Call me Lily, Aidan. Since we are going to be working together, I think it would be better to be on a first name basis.”
“Who says we’re going to be working together?”
“I do.” She lifted the canvas onto the table so she could see it better in the light. “Now tell me about this painting of the mother and child at the park.”
“You’re finished for the evening. In fact, you don’t need to come back. Good day, Ms. Portell.”
He’d done it again, walked away. “You’re a very stubborn, obstinate man,” she whispered. Venturing back into the kitchen, she loaded her supplies in the bag and left.
He heard her leave.
G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
Aidan didn’t flinch this time or try to figure out where the voice was coming from. He knew it came from his own mind. He ignored it.
Why did he feel so angry toward her? He pictured her looks in his mind, beautiful. When she’d taken his blood pressure, the closeness of her body ignited a desire that speared its way to his groin. If he’d had moved his fingers at all, he would have caressed her. He’d almost done it just to get a reaction out of her. She’d reacted though, he knew it. He’d felt her erratic breathing. She smelled great. He’d fought the urge to lay his face in the hollow of her neck and just inhale her.
L-i-l-y.
That threw him.
G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
CHAPTER THREE
The lateness of the hour dragged her eyelids down as she tried to read. Giving in to her body’s demand for sleep, she closed the book, turned off the light, and went to bed.
Rocky took up his place at the foot of her bed and she went right to sleep.
Colorful images danced around her, luring her to them, begging for her touch. She reached out her hand and things changed. Now, she was standing in Aidan’s house. It looked different, darker. Maybe he had all the lights turned off since he didn’t need them anyway.
“Hello, Lily.”
She didn’t have to turn around to know that Aidan was there. She recognized his sultry voice and his warm breath sent chills across her skin. “Why am I here?”
“I need you.” His long fingers slid lightly down her arms and he snuggled up against hers.
“Then why do you scowl at me and make me find my own way out every time I come to see you?”
“Why do you leave?”
She chuckled. “Because I’m a guest in your home and you tell me to get out.”
“I feel you when you’re there. Your softness, your smiles.”
Wow, this guy knew how to make her melt. She wished it were real, but even in sleep, she knew it was just a dream.
“What would he do if I stayed?”
“He?”
“Him, Aidan Campbell. The real one, not you the dreamy one.”
“We are the same.”
“No. You’re a figment of my imagination, something I can caress and kiss and do all the things I’ve wondered about.”
He turned her around to face him. “We are the same.”
His gorgeous eyes swirled as they looked down at her face. “I love your eyes,” she whispered.
The smile he gave her made her knees weaken and she almost fell at his feet. He looked delicious and decadent, all good features for a dream guy. The hands that gripped her waist felt very real.
“Did you say something about caressing and kissing?”
“Yes, but—”
Warm lips met hers and she closed her eyes. Aidan’s arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her close, molding her body to his. She knew this was a dream because he tasted just like the coffee they’d had earlier that day.
When he pulled away, Lily gazed up at him wondering where this was headed. “That was nice.”
The back of his fingers brushed across her cheek. “This is nice.”
An alarm ringing startled Lily awake. Disgusted, she slapped the snooze button and pulled the covers over her head. “Ugh!”
Rocky jumped off the bed, retrieved his leash, and brought it to her, ready for his morning potty break.
“All right, I’m going,” she groaned and threw the covers back.
She dressed in sweats and put her tennis shoes on. Time for the morning get-out-there-and-do-something-good-for-yourself jog. Grabbing the end of the dog leash she said, “Come on, Rock.”
The cool morning air revived her in a way that nothing else could. Lily loved the mornings before the world woke up and all the noises came. She wondered how Aidan dealt with the enormous change in the sounds of his life. Did he slap his hands over his ears to dull it?
Did he really kiss that good?
Her feet just stopped and Rocky danced around her legs. What was she going to do? She couldn’t very well go to a patient’s house and demand he kiss her. There were so many things wrong with that idea. For all she knew, he didn’t feel anything. An incessant urge to taste his lips gnawed at her.
“This is too weird.”
Rocky dragged her forward.
L-i-l-y.
Lily stopped abruptly this time. Rocky barked.
What the hell was that? Now she’s hearing voices? Maybe I should get a psych review. Stress has obviously pushed me around the bend.
They finished the run and trudged back to the apartment. She released Rocky from his leash and headed for the bathroom to take her shower.
L-i-l-y.
She whirled around half expecting to see someone there. “Hello?”
The only sound she heard was Rocky chomping his dog food. Tiptoeing back toward the living room, she peeked around the wall. Empty.
She stuck her head into the kitchen. No one but Rocky was there.
After she double-checked the front door to make sure she’d locked it, Lily strolled back down the hall.
The Guardian needs you.
“Shit.” Lily pressed the back of her hand against her forehead. No fever. She massaged her temples. I need to cut back on the caffeine and sugar.
She stripped down.
L-i-l-y.
“Not listening,” she said with a little tremble in her voice and climbed into the hot water spray.
***
For the last two days, couriers had been coming and going. All the paintings Aidan had been retained to work on were now back to their rightful owners. Only his paintings were left—paintings he’d never work on again. Angry, he dragged the trash can he kept at the end of the table to the work bench where all the brushes and paints were laying and started tossing them into the garbage. He had dropped some and bent down to pick them up when her scent hit him. It was a potent fragrance that caressed his nostrils and tightened his balls. It irritated him that this woman had wheedled her way into his house and now he couldn’t get her off his mind.
G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
Great, now he had the voices again. Could this day get any worse?
G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
“Go away,” he growled. “I’m not in the mood to deal with psychosis.”
L-i-l-y.
He marched into the other part of the house to turn on his stereo, hoping the music would drown out his insanity.
“Mr. Campbell, sir.”
He started. He’d forgotten the workmen were still in his house crating up the Renoir. “Yes?”
“We’re done loading up the Renoir.”
“Okay.”
“Good day, sir.”
Grim, he went back to his work room to continue tossing his supplies in the can. He stepped on something he’d dropped. Cursing he went down on one knee to retrieve it. There it was again, her scent. The distinct aroma drifted up his nose, to his brain. His body physically reacted.
“What are you doing?”
He froze. No wonder the scent was so vivid this time. It came attached to the woman. The one who’d been driving him crazy. “How’d you get in my house?” he snarled.
“There were some men leaving when I showed up and they let me in.”
He’d make sure to say something to their employer about their carelessness.
“Why are you throwing away your brushes and paints?”
“None of your business.” He rose and gripped another tube.
“Please don’t.”
He braced both hands on the table. His chin dropped to his chest. “What do you want from me, Ms. Portell?”
“I told you to call me Lily.”
“Fine. What do you want from me Lily?”
She grabbed his hand and led him to the main table. He knew this because he’d walked this route so many times. He could feel the shift in the air, the position of the furniture. Lily opened his hand and placed one of the brushes in it. She moved behind him, then softly whispered in his ear.
“Teach me.”
Her accent made those two words erotic in a hypnotic sort of way. He shook his head. “Teach you what?”
“To paint.”
Stiffening, he threw the brush down. “In case it’s escaped your notice, I’m blind.”
He walked as fast as he could out of that room and headed straight to his den where he slammed the door. Pacing, he ran his fingers through his hair. It wasn’t bad enough that he couldn’t get her off his mind, the mind that was bordering on insanity with the voices, but now she’s asking the impossible.
The soft knock had him grinding his teeth. “Go away,” he growled.
“I won’t go away,” she said.
He knew she’d entered the room because her voice was clear, and her scent overwhelmed him. “What do I have to do to get rid of you?”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why are you throwing your life away?”
He sighed in frustration. Didn’t she get it? His life ended the day he lost his sight. Everything he is, everything he was, stopped.
“Let me spell it out for you. What I do is no longer relevant. Dammit, I can’t see. How do you propose I continue my work without sight?”
The air shifted.
“Can you hear me?” she whispered.
“Yes.”
Her fingers brushed his. “Can you feel this?”
“Yes,” he said in a hoarse voice.
Aidan sensed her movement. She circled around behind him.
“Can you smell the perfume I used this morning when I stand here?”
“Yes.” He could smell the coconut shampoo she’d used too.
“What about when I’m over here?” she asked from across the room.
Sighing, he shook his head. “What’s your point, Lily?”
“My point is that your life has taken a turn. While I understand your anger that what you loved doing the most is no longer possible, you’re life is far from over. You have other possibilities.”
“I don’t see it. Forgive the pun.”
Her hand caressed his face, sending white hot sparks through his body. He saw them flash in the blackness, actually saw them.
“You will in time, Aidan. I know you will.”
She took her hand away which left him empty.
“I have to go to my next appointment. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Aidan stood there for long moments after Lily left, swallowing hard to choke down the desire that raged within him. Fool.
Lily didn’t understand what he went through, the harsh reality of his life. She couldn’t. No one could. He strolled to the doorway.
Take her.
Banging his fist against the wall, he cried out. “Stop fucking with my mind.”
L-i-l-y.
Exasperated, Aidan wandered through his house. After tripping over yet another stack of something, he cursed. His house used to be immaculate with wide open spaces and pictures in every room. Of course, it still was, he just couldn’t see it. Damn her. Lily had gotten him thinking about things he’d given up on: his work, the galleries, a woman’s soft body, sex. Why couldn’t she leave him alone?
G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
Not again with the voices. “Don’t you guys ever take a break?” He knew he was just talking to his subconscious, but still.
L-i-l-y.
“Give it a rest,” he mumbled.
Take her.
Okay, this broken record was getting old. Maybe he should contact that psychologist his doctor had wanted him to talk with. Cracking up wasn’t on his agenda.
Feeling sorry for himself?
Check.
Angry at the world?
Check.
Irritated with the visiting nurse they’d sent to make sure he was adjusting?
Check.
Going insane?
Nope, sorry, nothing.
Plopping down in an overstuffed chair, he sighed. “What am I going to do? Every time she’s near I want to jump her.”
He chuckled. The sound startled him. It had been so long since he’d laughed. He sat up straighter in the chair. It was the woman. She’d made him laugh. Just the thought of her lightened his mood. “I wonder what she’d do if I kissed her?”
CHAPTER FOUR
Lily drove to her next appointment. Damn, but he was stubborn. She didn’t know why but she knew she had to reach him. Still on a hormonal high from her dream, she’d almost collapsed at his feet begging him to touch her.
Her cell rang.
“Hello.”
“Lily, what are you doing tonight?”
“Hi, Laurel. Nothing that I know of, why?”
“I met this guy at work today and he asked me out on a date.”
She turned down Momosa Drive. “What does that have to do with me?”
Her sister hesitated. “Well, he has this brother who’s in town and…”
“Oh no you didn’t.”
“Please, Lily. He’s only in town for a couple of days and—”
“Laurel, really. A blind date?”
“It’s not like it’s a long-time relationship. It’s just dinner and maybe some dancing, but—”
“You’ve already told him yes, haven’t you?”
“Kind of.”
“Lord.” Pulling into the next appointment’s driveway, she stopped and yanked the parking brake. “Fine. I’ll do it this once, but that’s it. Got it?”
Laurel squealed. “Woohoo. Thanks, Lily. You’ll have a good time. I promise.”
Yeah, that’s what Lily was afraid of, her sister’s idea of a good time. It wasn’t that Lily didn’t like to have fun, hadn’t had fun in a while. But, Laurel had always been a bit of a partier. She groaned. What had she gotten herself into?
****
The guy, Rob, was nice. He had fair looks and polite manners. Jeez, you sound like a commercial. It was a good thing Rob was only in town for a couple of days. He’d intimated that he’d like to see her again, but the guy did nothing for her. No flutters, no soft sighs. Nothing. Actually, she prayed for a way to end the night early. Laurel wrapped herself around Greg, Rob’s brother. She wouldn’t have noticed even if Lily had projected her anxiousness. It was going to be a long night.
Lily was on her third drink and staring out the massive windows at the stars while Greg told yet another story about how his trips to the gym had helped him get his great physique. Yeah, nothing like listening to self-centered, Adonis wannabe talk about how awesome he looked. She was doing her best not to throw up dinner when her cell phone rang.
Greg stopped talking. Miracle!
“Excuse me.” Lily walked away from the table to take the call.
“Lily, this is Margaret at the after hours line.”
“Hello, Margaret. Is something wrong?”
The woman was silent for a long moment then went on in a rush. “I know Ms. Jennifer is on-call this evening and I would have contacted her, but he asked for you and said he would not talk to anyone else and not to send anyone but you to his house.”
Although she had a feeling she knew already, Lily asked. “Who is he, Margaret?”
“Aidan Campbell.”
“Was he okay?”
“He sounded fine, a bit agitated though. He said he had to speak with you right away. He left his number.”
Lily memorized the number as it was recited to her. “Thank you, Margaret.”
After hanging up she entered the phone number and dialed. Busy.
Laurel approached frowning. “Is everything all right?”
As they walked back to the table, Lily smiled. “I’m terribly sorry, but I have to go.”
“Can I drive you somewhere?” Rob offered.
“No thanks, Rob. I drove but Laurel will need a ride home.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll make sure the little dove gets home,” Greg chimed in.
“Has something happened?”
“It’s one of my patients. I need to go see him.” Grabbing her purse, Lily offered her hand to Rob. “It was nice meeting you.”
Rob held her hand for several seconds, his eyes searching hers. “Nice meeting you too. I hope I can see you again before I leave.”
“Goodnight.” She extricated her hand from his grip and headed for the door, stopping only to get her coat at the coat check.
Who would have believed that her prayers would be answered by someone she least expected. Aidan Campbell. Her stomach fluttered and her pulse quickened. All those things absent on her date with Rob now roared to life by just the mere thought of Aidan. What did that mean?
She was about to find out.
The drive to his house was either too long or not long enough. Lily couldn’t decide. Her stomach clenched as she turned onto his street. The chilly weather outside did nothing to cool her off and the heater was on low. That meant something else was getting her hot and bothered. Or someone else.
Her car sat in his driveway idling while she had the steering wheel in a death grip and told herself to breathe. Everything about this was strange, but it had been like that since day one with him. Almost instantly she’d felt something—something nice.
“Okay, Lily. Get out of the car and go check on your patient.”
She opened the car door and a blast of cool air hit her. Reaching across the seat, she grabbed her short black leather jacket and put it on. At the door she hesitated before knocking. Her heart beat faster and she felt the rhythm through her entire body.
The door flew open and there stood a very tense dreamboat. “Lily?”
She stepped up and touched his arm. “Aidan, what’s wrong?”
Aidan grabbed her arms and pulled her body against him in a hug. “My god, are you all right?”
“Of course, I am,” she said as she pushed away from his warmth. “The service called and said you needed to talk to me.”
“But you’re all right?”
“Yes.” She chuckled. “Are you?”
“I—” He didn’t finish the sentence. Moving around her he shut the door. “Come on.”
Aidan put his hand at Lily’s low back and guided her to the living room where he had a fire going. He couldn’t explain his panic. How would he explain to this woman he barely knew that he sensed something wasn’t right and had to see her?
“Let me take your coat.”
He helped her remove the jacket. The soft leather played through his fingertips and he’d felt nothing but skin all the way down her arms. He wondered what she was wearing. Stop that.
L-i-l-y.
Aidan shook his head. Not the voices again.
L-i-l-y.
There were more and more whispers. They were like a chorus singing her name in hushed tones.
Take her.
G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
Aidan didn’t go back toward the fire. He faced away from the heavenly scent that was Lily.
“Dammit, what is going on?” he murmured.
“Aidan.”
Her voice stroked his ears the way her name stroked his lips. A sensual siren’s call beckoning him to come drown in the mystery and the woman.
Lily laid her palm against his back and rubbed his shoulder blades in small circles. “Aidan, please. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Would you believe me if I said I had lost my mind? That I’d finally let insanity take root in my brain and I feared I might cease the fight against it?”
She encouraged him to turn around. Running her hands up his arms and to his neck Lily moved closer. “What are you talking about?”
He shook his head. “You’ll think me mad.”
“Don’t be silly. Something has happened.”
“You could say that.”
“Tell me.”
Aidan clasped the fingers that caressed his cheeks. Lily led him to the sofa and they sat down. Sighing, he said, “They came and took the paintings today. Those were the men you saw earlier.
“I know that had to be difficult.”
He slumped into the cushions and leaned back. Yes, difficult. “The worst thing was all the apologies from the gallery owners and clients.”
“You can’t stand pity.”
“True.”
“What did you do after I left?”
“Wallowed in the self-pity I hate; wondered what the hell I’m going to do with my life.”
Lily laid her hand on his thigh. “You took the first step.”
All his nerves popped like firecrackers. The noise played loud in his ears and he could have sworn he saw flashes. What was it about this woman that fired his blood? Aidan took her hand in his before continuing. “I put on some music, lit the fire, and made some dinner.”
“The music I could see you doing, but how did you light the fire and make dinner?”
He shrugged. “I had my accountant call a place and they sent out a guy to get the fireplace in good working order. It’s a gas unit anyway so he set it up on a dimmer switch.”
“And dinner?”
“He also called a cleaning crew to clean the place up, and the woman who ran the crew arranged my frozen dinners in alphabetical order on different shelves in the freezer.”
“The magic of the microwave oven.”
“It’s still a little tricky because the numbers aren’t clear. I’ve ruined several meals because of over cooking.”
She laughed. “I’m sorry. It’s not funny.”
Aidan smiled. “It’s all right. I like the sound of your laughter.”
“So how does all this involve me?”
Here comes the tricky part. “I was sitting at the table eating when suddenly I felt all this anxiety. I guess that’s the best word for it. Anxious, like waiting for something to happen.” He faced Lily. “Don’t ask me how but I knew it was you.”
He expected the recriminations, but all that followed was silence.
“Say something.”
“This is really weird.”
L-i-l-y. Take her.
“Don’t start,” he growled.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“Oh, no. I didn’t mean you.”
“You didn’t? I’m the only one here.”
“You would think so,” he responded.
“What do you mean?”
He shook his head. “Never mind. Let’s go back to the anxiety stuff.”
Lily sat back against the cushions next to him. The heat from her body licked at his skin and he longed to lay her across his lap and kiss her… forever.
“I was at a restaurant with my sister and two of her… friends.”
“Male friends?”
“Yes.”
His heart raced. “You were on a date?”
“Yeah, sort of.” The words rushed from her mouth.
The heart beat which had sped up halted. “Oh.” He didn’t know why that hurt him, but it did.
“It was a blind date. Laurel roped me into it before I knew what was happening.”
“Okay.”
“The guy was nice, but he just didn’t—”
Aidan turned his face her way. “Didn’t what?”
“Never mind.”
In his mind, he imagined her shaking her head. Did she have a wealth of long, straight hair or was it short and curly?
“Anyway, I was anxious for the night to be done. If the one that Laurel was mooning over went into one more story about how he worked out and went to the beach every day to run, yada, yada, yada, I thought I would throw up.”
Aidan felt a slight bounce.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like—”
“Like you weren’t having a very good time?”
“Yes.”
“But you weren’t, were you?”
“No. I was feeling anxious, searching for a polite way to brush the guy off.”
“Then I was right. I did feel you.”
“How is that possible?” she whispered.
“I don’t know.”
Take her.
Aidan shook his head.
You will need her, G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
He pressed his hands to the sides of his head. “Stop. Stop.”
Lily worried about Aidan’s frame of mind. During their conversation he seemed to be fine, but he kept talking as if someone else was in the room besides her.
She knelt in front of him, grabbed his hands in hers and brought them down to his thighs. Sliding between his open knees, Lily gently placed her fingertips on his chin and held him there. “Look at me.”
In a strained voice he said, “You know I can’t.”
“Open your eyes, Aidan.”
He did as she asked.
Lily gasped.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“They are magnificent. The blue merges with the silver and it swirls captivating me.”
“My eyes swirl? What gray?”
G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
As she watched his eyes, Lily leaned forward until their lips were just about to touch.
Kiss him.
Suddenly the spell shattered and she realized what she’d been about to do. What was happening? And the voices were back. She knew they were not her own inner voice. There was more than one voice and they urged her into action.
Kiss him.
“No.” She straightened away from his mouth.
“No what?”
“I should go. It’s late.”
He lowered his eyes. “All right.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Setting her hands on the sofa on either side of him, Lily pushed to her feet. As she started to pull away, Aidan clasped her hand. “Before you go, will you let me do one thing?”
“Of course.”
Aidan stood without releasing his hold. With his free hand he caressed her hair which she had pulled back with combs on either side. He brought his other hand up and did the same. “What color is it?”
Her pulse quickened and she closed her eyes enjoying the feel of a man’s hands. No, not just any man. Aidan. Aidan’s hands. “Blond.”
“It’s exquisite, silky. I can smell the shampoo you used.” His fingers threaded through the length. “I like it down like this.”
Kiss him.
She wanted to heed the voice, but could she? What would she do then? What would he do?
CHAPTER FIVE
The morning came up slowly. Lily hadn’t slept well. The imaginary voices kept at her all night.
Kiss him.
Help him.
Kiss him.
Help him.
G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
Why did her subconscious want her to kiss Aidan? Well. Okay. She could get why she wanted to kiss him, touch him, and kiss him some more.
Kiss him.
“Stop, damn you,” Lily said. “I haven’t had my coffee yet.” She crawled out of bed and tripped over the dog. “Sorry, Rock,” she mumbled and absently patted him on the head.
Rocky yawned and jumped on the bed.
Lily remembered him leaping to the floor sometime in the night. Her restlessness had driven him away.
She sleepwalked through the first two appointments. After the third cup of caffeine-charged coffee, she finally felt like something more than the walking dead.
Help him.
“Are you kidding me?” Lily sighed.
G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
“Go away.”
Two people walking by gave her strange looks as she got in her car.
“Great. Now I’m talking to myself.”
Lily answered her cell on the third ring.
“Hi, Lily.”
She grabbed her head. “Laurel, quit yelling.”
“I’m not yelling. What’s wrong with you?”
Good question. “Headache. What do you want?”
“To invite you to dinner. What time will you be finished?”
Lily looked at her schedule. “Around five-thirty.”
“Great,” Laurel said. “I’ll see you at six then.”
Before Lily could put up a good argument Laurel was gone.
Dragging through the day was laborious. Each appointment more exhausting than the last.
Lily sat for a moment staring at her schedule but not seeing the words. If she closed her eyes blue and silver swirls appeared. She sighed. “What am I going to do?”
Help him.
Kiss him.
Kiss him and then what? Lose her job, her heart?
“Why does life have to get so complicated? Answer me that, why don’t you?” she shouted, lifting her eyes upward. Exasperated, she slammed back against the seat.
G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
Lily threw the car door open and went to see the last patient of the day.
****
“Lily,” Laurel exclaimed as she walked into the cozy condo. “I’ll get you a glass of wine. You look like you could use it.”
Lily silently thanked the gods, ignoring Laurel’s comment about her awful appearance. “You’re a lifesaver,” she said, and tasted the Merlot. “Whatever you’re cooking smells wonderful.”
She was used to being her sister’s guinea pig for new dishes. Laurel was an exceptional cook.
Wandering toward the windows and the great view, Lily passed the dining room table. “Why are there four places set?”
“Greg and Rob are coming.”
“Laurel, why didn’t you tell me? I’m exhausted. I really don’t want to do the date thing.”
“It’s just friends getting together. Don’t make such a big deal out of it.”
Lily’s temper snapped. She set the empty glass down a little too hard. “You know what? I’m too tired to deal with you or this.” She pointed to the nicely set table. Grabbing her purse, she headed to the door. “Tell Rob I had a migraine,” Lily said slamming the door.
As she drove to the end of the street, her cell buzzed.
“Laurel, I’m leaving. That’s the end of your matchmaking.”
“Lily?”
His strained voice washed through her.
“Aidan? What’s wrong?”
“I—”
The phone went dead.
Panicked, Lily drove directly to Aidan’s house. When she arrived she yanked the brake, jumped from the car, and took off running.
Lily banged on the front door. “Aidan? It’s Lily.”
No answer.
She banged some more then tried the door.
It opened.
Lily stepped in cautiously. “Aidan?”
Walking down the hall she went through the kitchen around to the room with the fireplace. Still she did not see him. Lily wound down the other hallway, peering in rooms.
Aidan was unconscious on the floor in the master bedroom.
Lily rushed to him.
His skin was ice cold. She anxiously felt for a pulse.
Anguish gave way to relief when a strong rhythm beat beneath her fingertips. “Aidan, can you hear me?”
His eyes fluttered and opened.
She placed a palm on his cheek. “What happened?”
“I don’t know,” he whispered.
The small light on the bedside table flickered and went out. A light mist formed, engulfing the room.
“Can you stand?”
He nodded.
“We need to get you to the bed.” Lily helped Aidan sit, put one arm around her shoulders and grabbed his waist. She faltered under the weight.
It took a bit of struggling but Lily managed to get Aidan on the bed and under the covers.
He passed out again.
Lily went to the car, locked it, and grabbed her bag. She locked the front door, checked the thermostat, and notched the temperature up a couple of degrees.
Back in the bedroom, Aidan had not woken. It was damp and cold in the room which puzzled her. The chill on Aidan’s skin worried her more. Hypothermia—another bizarre thought. This shouldn’t be happening.
Stripping down to her undies and cami, Lily climbed in bed and snuggled next to him, gently running her hands up his frigid torso.
He moaned and moved giving her the opportunity to roll closer. His arm curled and caught Lily. She pulled the blanket and comforter higher to his neck and settled down praying the body heat would warm him.
Aidan fought his way back to consciousness. Part of his body shivered, but the right side had warmth and softness. He rolled toward the heat.
The scent of shampoo hit him first.
Lily.
Slowly, he opened his eyes, and saw her semi-naked, shadowy figure lying beside him. He scanned a full circuit of the room he knew so well.
Smoky.
Aidan figured it was a dream. He was blind, and Lily in his bed would be an erotic fantasy. Not the first one he’d had since meeting her.
He turned his attention to the woman in his arms. He ran a nose and lips up her cheek, to her ear and rode the rigid column of her neck, where he placed soft kisses.
“Aidan,” she murmured.
He lifted his head to find her eyes. “Hello, beautiful.”
“What are you doing?”
“Kissing your neck.”
Lily chuckled. “I noticed.” She touched his cheek. “Your color has returned and your skin is warm to the touch.”
He smiled. “So is yours.” Aidan trailed his hand up her thigh and further where the cami had ridden up. “I’ve wanted to do this since I met you.” His fingers crept higher, resting at the swell of her breast.
“Why?”
“Because you are tenacious, intriguing, and smell really great.”
“You’re dreaming.”
“I know. That’s what makes it so delicious.”
Lily raised her arm and laid the back of her hand against his forehead. “Are you sure you don’t have a fever?”
“My temperature is definitely rising but not because I’m sick.”
His hand shifted to cup her breast, and his thumb flicked the nipple.
Lily gasped. She lowered her arm and arched her back.
Aidan moved between her legs and freed the other hand to play with both nipples.
The smoke in the room thickened until only the bed and Lily were visible.
He continued to fondle the sexy woman.
Lily’s hands gripped the pillow and she arched more. “That feels so good,” she moaned.
He had to agree. Lily felt good.
Take her.
G-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.
Aidan groaned. “Not now. Go away.”
Lily’s back lowered to the mattress and she stared at him. “What?”
“Not you. It’s those damn voices.”
She rose to her elbows. “Voices?”
“Over and over in my head.” Aidan got to his knees.
Lily scanned the room. “Where is the fog coming from? I can’t see anything but you.”
Take her.
“I said go away. Leave me in peace,” he growled.
“Something isn’t right, Aidan.”
“I can give you a list.” His hand roamed Lily’s side gently brushing one nipple which pushed against the fabric.”
“Your eyes are swirling.”
Take her.
Aidan’s gaze centered on the flimsy underwear. He ran a fingertip along the top, caressing the material and her stomach. His finger traced the line to the juncture of her leg and pelvis. Aidan wanted to see that and every part of her.
“Your eyes,” she whispered.
“They’re swirling. I know.”
“They are focused. What do you see?”
Gazing at Lily’s quizzical expression, he said, “I see you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I see the bed, the pillows, covers, and you in them. You have glittery earrings, perky breasts, and lips I want to kiss so bad I can taste them.”
“And the room?”
He looked around. “Smoky. But I’d expect that in a dream.”
“This is no dream, Aidan. It’s real.”
“No.” He shook his head.
“The mist is real.” Lily touched his thigh. “I’m real.”
“Everything is black and white, like an old movie. It’s a dream. It has to be. I’m blind.”
Lily knelt in front of him. “What is the last thing you remember?”
“I ate my semi-burnt dinner and came in here to change clothes. Then, I woke up in bed with you.”
“You don’t remember calling me?”
He looked at her, perplexed. “No.”
The hazy room dimmed, slowly fading to black.
“The fog is retreating,” Lily said.
“My sight is gone.”
|
