Nolan's Evolution (59 page)

She lifted her chin and marched right into the room…through the entrance they weren’t talking about…and into his bed. She crawled under the covers and buried her face into his pillow. Yes, this was a perfect spot for a nap. “In Nolan’s bed,” she murmured giddily, allowing her eyes to close. It would serve him right to find her here. He had left her after a great tease. If he could dish it then he would have to learn to take it from her!

She swished her legs around the silken sheets and cuddled into the pillow that smelled just like him. Maybe she could lift this and keep it at her place until their wedding? She smiled, imagining his reaction If she asked for it!

She stopped to listen hard but in the vast house would never be able to hear them all the way down stairs. She figured she better get busy falling asleep so he could find her just so!

It wasn’t Nolan to wake her though.

“Miss Raina?”

Raina cracked her eye open and smiled shyly at Mae.

“Mr Gregor asked me to check on you.”

Raina sat up and brushed her hair out of her eyes. “Why didn’t he come see for himself?” She mumbled this to herself but noted Mae’s raised eyebrows. The servant knew the situation.

“He seemed nervous to do so,” she said politely.

Raina laughed. “Did he think I was hiding in here waiting to jump him?”

Mae broke character and laughed too. “He loves and desires you very much Miss Raina. He is only looking out for you! I think he was afraid he would be too tempted.” She helped Raina fold back the covers so she could get out. “Did you sleep well?”

“This bed is a dream,” Raina sighed and hopped down.

“Do you like the bedding…the comforter? If you need anything changed you only have to ask me! Mr Gregor said I answer to you now on anything household related.” She smiled. “He said he doesn’t know what girls like when it comes to bedrooms so you have free reign!”

Raina bit her lip and glanced about. There were a few things that were far too masculine to be in this room but she loved the colors…and the bedding was perfect! “I will let you know,” she promised.

Mae stood there, hands clasped, waiting.

Raina also stood there, unsure of where to go from there.

Mae sensed her unease. “If you don’t need me for anything, I will go back to my duties. The gentlemen are still downstairs talking. I was going to make them some coffee? And I heard you have not eaten yet? I could make you something?”

Raina’s tummy growled on cue. She smiled. “Maybe a little something and coffee sounds wonderful,” she exclaimed. “I will be down in a bit.”

Mae nodded and left her promptly.

Raina scurried to the bathroom and combed her hair with Nolan’s comb. It was a knotted mess after her nap. Maybe it was best he hadn’t been there to wake her! She stared at herself, looking quite bedraggled but not too bad after the afternoon she had experienced!

She looked through the drawers on the vanity and found a brand new tooth brush, making good work on her dry mouth. She washed her face with his soap and almost felt human after.

She glanced at her clothes folded on the stool and then down at his comfies and decided she would stay as she was. She liked being in his things.

Both immortals looked up as she entered. Both stood like proper gentlemen to their feet.

Raina found this quite amusing as she stood barefoot in lounging pants that dragged behind her and a shirt that engulfed her. She looked anything but a lady.

Nolan gave her a grin. “Nice bath?”

“Yes…thank you for helping me….umm…prepare for it?”

He chuckled. “And your nap?”

She walked past him, brushing him just so he caught his breath. She sat cross legged in a chair and raised her shoulders. “I love your bed. I’d like to sleep in it more often.”

His jaw tightened. “Tease,” he murmured.

“Pot meet kettle,” she laughed.

Thanatos rolled his eyes. “’Enough of the foreplay!”

Nolan and Raina both blushed. The men took their seats.

“So what have you guys decided?” she jumped right in. “Don’t leave anything out…you know how I hate that! I’m ready to do my part…background, I know,” she hurried to say, as Nolan started to argue. “This is my life,” she said softly.

Nolan stood to his feet, walked to her, lifted her, sat down with her in his lap. He squeezed her tightly and growled when he saw Thanatos move. He turned her face to his and looked her straight in her eyes. “Our life,” he corrected her.

And she remained right there as they filled her in…happily.

Chapter 22 Surfacing

              Raina smiled at the napping children and slipped behind her desk to look over the remaining plans for the children for that day.

“They went out without a fuss,” Anne, her teacher’s assistant laughed.

Raina laughed at this softly, and took up her pen wanting to take advantage of the quiet moments.

“What are you doing for vacation?” Anne was buried in her book but the question had come from her.

“Wedding, wedding, wedding,” Raina laughed.

Anne smiled. “Your man is certainly romantic!”

Raina’s eyes lingered for a moment over the vase of flowers on the corner of the desk. Purple roses…where he had found them she had no idea but they were hers. He had made her birthday a week long celebration. She knew she coud expect it to continue year to year. Her romantic immortal was always surprising her. “Yes he certainly is.”

“Too bad it’s not going to be a big wedding. I know a lot of people who would have loved to come!”

“Yes, but we are just wanting simple. My parents…a few close friends.”

“I’m sure it will be beautiful!”

              Raina smiled and lowered her gaze back to her plans and let her shoulders relax. It was here she could simply be Raina…the teacher…Mrs. Foster to the little ones.

              That was unless the supernatural came knocking at your door even here.

              Raina looked up on a feeling and found Arabella standing in the doorway. “Ara,” she said softly in surprise. “What is it?”

              The timid brown eyes lowered. “I didn’t know when I could talk to you…without…”

              Raina nodded in understanding. She rarely had a moment to herself. “I only have a few moments now why the little ones sleep. But we can step in the hall.” Raina glanced toward her teacher’s assistant. “Would you watch them for a bit Anne?”

              Anne was quick to look up from her book and nodded with a smile.

              Arabella was ushered into the hall.

              “What is it?” Raina’s eyes were full of concern. “You couldn’t say this in front of Thanatos or Nolan?”

Arabella bit her lip and shook her head. “Thanatos no. It’s only fears. I don’t know what’s happening.” She was wringing her hands. “Has Melinda…” she lowered her voice as if Melinda would hear from her class down the hall. “Has she told you my gift?”

Raina nodded. “Powers of deduction.”

“Yes…I observe and I pick up what others miss. I’ve picked up something about Thanatos and it involves you.”

Raina felt nerves run through her. “If you think Thanatos feels anything for me but…”

“Oh no, I know he’s in love with you,” she said firmly. She gave her head a shake. “He will never say it and he will not act on it in the conventional way. But he loves you, Raina.” Her brown eyes held Raina’s fast. “Don’t ever doubt that. He talks a good game.”

Raina frowned and shook her head.

“He cares too much for Nolan. He could never hurt his best friend in that way. And he understands that you love Nolan beyond reason. So do not worry you will have to decline his advances. He will not make them. He will show his love in other ways.”

Raina leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. “You think it is my fault he loves me? Do you think I….”

“No,” Arabella said softly. “You have loved him like no one else Raina. “You believed in him. He is truly your brother. I don’t doubt the purity of your heart. You may have been attracted to him at one point…and still appreciate him now! Who couldn’t? Look at him.” She smiled. “He loves you because without question you have forgiven him and allowed him to be who he was supposed to be all along. There is freedom in that Raina. He's free when he is with you…even when he is bound to protect you.”

Raina stared down at her feet and squeezed her arms at her sides.

“That is not the only thing I have picked up. This new thing…it’s recent and it revolves around the wedding.”

Raina thought of the event a little over a week away. “What is it?”

Arabella stepped closer. “I am not one hundred percent sure but it has to do with your gift from him. He keeps teasing about it.” She shrugged. “But there is a seriousness behind the teasing. I just haven’t been able to figure it out.” She reached for Raina’s hand. “It’s nothing that will hurt you or Nolan…I am sure of this.” She squeezed. “Jonathan is involved.”

Raina frowned. “Jonathan?”

Arabella nodded. “The two of them have become good friends. They are plotting something.”

Raina drew in a breath. Of course he would involve Jonathan in the secret. He would be the only one who could reveal it if they needed it. He needed him on his side. “Maybe it’s a good thing?”

Arabella lifted her brows. “He is being very shady Raina and I am worried about him.”

Raina nodded and squeezed her hand back. “I will talk to him. He will tell me nothing but at least I will get a feel of where he is.”

Arabella looked relieved. “I’m sorry…I know you have so little time before the wedding and I was worried…”

Raina shook off her concern. “Today is the last day and then there is Christmas vacation. I won’t have to worry about school. Don’t be concerned Ara…we will get this figured out.”

The dark eyed girl sighed.

Raina wrapped an arm about her and gave her a hug. “He has feelings for you as well Ara…and the feelings he has for me will change eventually. He is just at a point in his life where things are new and he is learning who he is. You just wait and see.”

Arabella nodded and hugged back. “Thank you for agreeing to talk to him. I….I just want him safe,” she said softly.

Raina rested her chin on top of the dark head too. “I want him safe too,” she agreed. Her stomach ran rampant with butterflies as she ran over Arabella’s words. Suddenly talking to Thanatos and knowing what she knew made her quite nervous. She hadn’t been this nervous around him since their first encounters.

“A date?”

Raina nodded.

“With Thanatos?”

“Nolan…he’s my friend…your friend…my protector. It’s not really a date anyway. It’s a friend’s night out. I need to talk to him. I promised Ara…and I’m concerned about him.” She fluttered about the kitchen as she made some afternoon coffee. Coffee on a cold day never failed to comfort her nerves.

Nolan grasped her wrist, turned her about, and captured her against the counter. “What has you concerned?”

She bit her lip and melted a little at the look in his eye. She set her hands on his chest and ran then up so they rested around his neck. “Where is our chaperone?”

“I sent Maxim away. Since the Elenora incident he does not argue much with me.”

Raina frowned. “Guilt trip? Nolan that is not like you!”

He grinned. “If it gets me alone with you I will do what I must.” He tipped her chin up. “Now tell me what has you so concerned you have to go out for the evening with the green eyed devil? I trust him…I will get that out of the way, but I am jealous of my time with you.”

She smiled and tugged at the hair on the nape of his neck. “In about a week you will have me for always. I plan on monopolizing a great deal of your time and attention. You will get so sick of me you will beg me to go out with him…or the girls or any guy that will take me off of your hands.”