Coma (Paranormal Romance) (18 page)

“Elaborate,” I demanded, narrowing my eyes on
him. Zack squirmed in his seat, and folded his hands in his lap.
“Zack?” He flashed a cute smile, and diverted his gaze to squeezing
fingers in his lap.

“Argh, spill it out Zack,” Sophie
demanded.

Zack sucked in a huge gulp of air, and let it
out slowly, then said, “Quantum entanglement is a strong connection
between two parties,” quickly, he moved his gaze out the
window.

Strong connection was a vague term, and a
slippery ground, but I had to push it out in the open, so I said,
“Define strong connection?”

Zack's head darted toward me, his glance
expressing disbelief. He searched my eyes for a moment, and then
said, without breaking eye contact, “Sophie, pretend you're not
here.”

“Sure,” Sophie replied, and let the last drop
of coke from an already empty glass roll down to her mouth.

“Lyra,” he took both my hands in his, and
swallowed a knot, “What I feel for you is something I would define
as strong,” he bit his lip, maintaining eye contact. My insides
were struck by thunder, my heart started banging violently against
my rib cage. “But,” he swallowed hard, and paused, searching for
words. “To call it quantum entanglement, you'd have to feel the
same...intensity.” He dropped his gaze, leaving me speechless.

Stupid as ever, I said, “How do we measure
it?” Zack looked up, and burst out laughing.

“You're unbelievable!” Sophie exclaimed,
laughing as well.

“What?!” I didn't laugh, didn't find it funny
at all. They didn't answer, instead they continued laughing and
shaking their heads. “Stop it! How do we know it's enough?”

Zack managed to repress his laugh enough to
say, “We don't.”

“Especially
now
we don't,” Sophie
giggled, Zack's lips tipped up on one side.

“What do you mean?” I shot a stern look at
her.

Sophie opened her mouth to explain, but Zack
shushed her up by saying, “Sophie, please, don't!”

For several long moments, Sophie watched him,
then said, “I'll give you two some privacy,” then stood up, “Meet
me in five down at the station.”

Zack nodded, and turned his glance on me. By
the way he was looking at me, I was sure confusion was written all
over my face. He brushed his knuckles down my face, and said, “I'm
sorry for unloading that on you. I shouldn't have.”

I frowned, “No, you had to. Time is a luxury
we don't have. Look,” I sighed, “I never felt about anyone the way
I feel about you,” his eyes sparkled, and then I realized what they
were laughing about. Statement like his deserved my response, and
stupid as hell, I went on rambling about measurement. He needed to
know, so I said, “When I think of you going back, my whole body
aches. I don't feel like living anymore,” I bowed my glance. He
picked up my chin, and searched my eyes. The softness of his gaze
reached levels of my being I never knew existed, so I said, “If
that's not strong, I don't know what is.”

Still holding my chin, he lowered a kiss on
my lips that conveyed depth of emotion we both expressed. Not
returning his kiss in public strained me more than I was capable to
endure. All I wished for was to lose myself in him. He broke off,
and looked deep into my eyes, then said, “Let's hope it's enough to
transcend space and time.”

A nervous giggle escaped me.

~*~

I came home with a grin plastered on my face.
Mom looked at me suspiciously, and then flashed an all knowing
smile. All through dinner, she kept glancing my way, and I knew she
would come up to my room later to fish it out of me. I had to think
of a cover story, because truth wasn't an option. Dad was oblivious
as expected, talking about his day and current politics, not
noticing we had a wordless conversation going on.

Half an hour after dinner, I heard a knock on
my door. Mom peered her head, and asked if she could come in. I
confirmed, and she sat next to me on the bed, grinning.

“What?!” I asked through a giggle, already
knowing the reason.

“Do I know him?” She cocked her head,
maintaining a grin.

“Nope,” I replied with a giggle.

“Is he cute?” Her eyebrows picked up.

“Terribly,” my mind went to Zack's face,
bringing burning sensation to my cheeks.

“Oh, come on! Don't make me drag it out of
you,” Mom snickered. I had no choice but to tell her as much as I
could about Zack, leaving out the details of his paranormal
existence.

“Are you using protection?” Mom jumped to the
point.

“MOM!” My eyes goggled, and I wished the
ground under me would open.

“I didn't fall of a tree, you know,” she
giggled.

“I didn't say you did,” my cheeks were
burning.

“So...are you?”

“It hasn't come to that,” I scowled.

“But it will,” I opened my mouth to protest,
but she went on, “Promise me you'll be smart about it, and use
protection.” She darted a demanding look. What was it with all the
people asking me to promise stuff?

I promised, and Mom hugged me, then left the
room. It wasn't the first time we had that conversation. Ever since
I turned thirteen, whenever she'd suspect I had a boyfriend, she
would come up to my room, and beat around the bush. This time,
though, she was straight forward. I wasn't a virgin, thanks to my
ex, Damien, but Mom didn't know about that, nor did I want her to.
It was something I wanted to forget, and certainly didn't want to
discuss. It was a mistake, and I learned from it the hard way.

Getting ready for bed, my thoughts went to
Zack. I wondered what he had in mind when he said he would surprise
me soon. Thinking about him made me feel warm on the inside. The
only thing that could make the grin on my face disappear, was the
toothbrush I just stuck in my mouth. Rustling sound of brushing my
teeth made me sleepy, and I couldn't wait to hit the sack.

Back in my room, I turned off the lights,
tucked myself in, and clicked the nightstand lamp. Cold pillow
against my face finally cooled down my cheeks. Love did have
semblance to fever. It burned me from the inside out. My eyes
blinked a few times, telling me dream wasn't far away, but I was
reluctant to give in. I wanted to savor Zack's words from the diner
a little bit longer.

Just as I was ready to surrender to
dreamland, Zack appeared out of thin air, “Don't scream,” he
whispered, putting a finger over his mouth.

I felt like screaming alright, but not from
fear. From joy. I chuckled. That popping effect that used to annoy
the crap out of me, now came in quite handy. One look at those
dazzling eyes, and warmth streamed through me, igniting me all over
again. He sat on the bed next to me, and gently pressed his palm
against my face, smoothing his thumb over my cheek, his eyes
searching mine. Suddenly, I became aware that we weren't in public
anymore, that there was nothing to hold us back, to stop us from
going all the way. My chest fluttered, and I got scared. The good
and the bad kind of scared.

“What is it?” Zack asked, seeing my face
getting serious all of a sudden.

I shook my head, smiling, “Nothing.” I placed
my hand over his against my cheek.

“Are you...scared?” His eyes widened.

“A little,” I bit my lip.

“Don't be,” he took a strand of my hair, and
twined it around his finger, “I won't do anything you don't want me
to.”

“I know,” but hearing him say that, all I
wanted was for him to do everything.

“I can sleep on a chair if you want,” he
motioned toward my computer. “I just didn't want to be away from
you anymore.” He bowed his glance, repentantly.

“No. I want you,” my mouth was faster than my
mind. His lashes swept back up in a split second, revealing a
surprised gaze.

“Choose your words carefully,” he chuckled.
“Those are making me lose this little self-control I have
left.”

“Not fair. You stripped me of mine long ago,”
my teeth almost pierced my lip from the intensity of my bite.

He closed his eyes, heavy lashes spreading
over his cheeks, and exhaled long. His eyes snapped back open,
sparkling. “And now you stripped me of mine.” He leaned in,
hesitating for a second, as if searching my eyes for permission,
then kissed me tenderly. My reason melted under his warmth. I
pulled him closer, making him groan against my lips.

“You better get undressed,” I said, confusion
on his face made me giggle. “No shoes in bed policy!” He chuckled,
and kicked his boots off, then faced me. I bit my poor lip again,
trailing his shirt's buttons with my gaze. Silently, understanding
my train of thought, he stood up, and started to unbutton one by
one. Seeing that muscular perfection under his shirt come to life,
I struggled to control my erratic breathing. He smiled,
mischievously, and moved on to his jeans. As he undid a button on
his jeans, I took a pillow, and put it over my head, giggling
underneath. Feeling his weight hit the bed struck a match inside my
gut, and I bit the pillow. Slowly, he removed the pillow from over
my face. He gazed at me softly, his eyes glazed over.
Breathtakingly beautiful. Propped on one arm, he traced an
invisible line over my cheek, across my chin, then down the hollow
of my throat. I reached for him, and our lips connected.

“You sure about this?” He asked between
kissing, his lips brushing mine as he spoke.

“Mhm,” I said, deepening our kiss, molding my
body against his.

He sucked in a sharp breath, and his body
responded eagerly to mine. His bare thigh slid between my legs
making my body recoil. His hand found its way under my tank top,
gliding up my bare back, and then from the neck down. I grabbed his
boxer shorts, and tugged him closer to me, making him gasp for air,
desire glistening in his eyes. In one swift move, he took control,
and placed me on my back. The weight of his body on top of mine
woke up wild hunger deep inside of me. The black of his pupils, and
wilderness in his glance sent sizzles down to the tip of my toes.
He rid me of my clothes, and placed a soft kiss on my sternum.
There was no stopping, neither of us would cave in. We wanted it
too much.

~*~

Heaven had descended upon Earth. I woke up to
the sound of the alarm, safely cradled in Zack's arms. He stirred
behind my back, and placed a kiss on the back of my neck. I
trembled to the core.

“Good morning,” he said with that deep, husky
voice I loved so much.

“Good morning,” I replied, turning around in
his embrace. Those incredible, green irises connected to mine. His
lips curled, and his glance dropped to my lips. He traced them with
a tip of his finger, leaving nothing but desire in its wake.

“You're so beautiful,” he said in a low
voice. I smiled.
You too
didn't sound right, so I went with
nothing. “Um, I kind of made a mess out of your hair,” he chuckled,
“So you might want to get an early start.”

I reached for my hair. Entangled wasn't even
a word for it. I chuckled, and snuggled closer, burrowing my head
below his chin, “It can wait.” His scent was driving me crazy.
Detach from his warm body was the last thing I wanted at that
moment.

He kissed my forehead, and locked his arms
around me. “You have to, or you'll be late for work.”

I let out a moan of disagreement against his
chest. He chuckled, and pressed me tighter against him.

“I will if you promise to be here every
night,” I looked up at him, expectantly.

Gazing softly, he smiled, and said, “Nothing
could keep me away.”

~*~

Every second I spent apart from Zack was a
second wasted in vain. I worked faster than ever as if it would
speed up the time till the end of my shift. I even considered
quitting my job, but that would have been hard to explain to my
parents. Nothing held my interest anymore, and nothing frightened
me more than the prospect of his sudden departure. Most of the
time, I pretended that wasn't even an option. When we were
together, my reality didn't exist, we created our own world around
us. Looking at him was like looking at my exact opposite. He
completed me. With him, my cup was full.

A nudge in my back winced me. I almost
dropped my tray.

“You alive girl?” Maya was grinning when I
turned around.

“Barely,” I breathed, trying to steady my
hands. “You almost gave me a heart attack!”

“Serves you right,” Helen added, furrowing a
brow. “Wrap it up, and join us.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I nodded, feeling the frost
bite of her mood.

My shift wasn't over yet, but Zack was
already across the street. Nothing could light up my day as the
vision of him. He sat down, crossed his arms in front, devilishly
staring my way with a half grin. I wished I could have gone out to
tell him I had Maya and Helen to deal with first. Two of them had
the worst timing ever. Instead, I sighed wistfully, and went on
with my work.

As soon as I was done, I joined my
girlfriends at their table. “Where are the guys?” I said, sitting
down.

“They have a day off,” Maya snickered.

“Where you've been, Lyra?” Helen jumped to
the point, crossing her arms and legs tightly.

“Nowhere,” I muttered, aware that I had
neglected them completely since Zack entered my life.

“Uh-huh,” Helen squinted. “And where's
Zack?”

I chuckled, “Um. Across the street.”

“I knew it!” Helen exclaimed, slamming her
fist on the table. “Damn it, Lyra, you will never learn!”

“Learn what, Helen?” I narrowed my eyes in
challenge. Maya kept to herself, fiddling with her car keys.

“He's not for you,” she scowled, and took my
hand in hers. “You always pick the wrong ones.”

I snorted, pulling out my hand. “This time
it's the right one, but wrong circumstances.” Hearing myself say
that, sadness gripped my insides. Unfortunately, that was the
bitter truth.