Son of Eden, a Paranormal Romance (17 page)

She heard what she thought was a low rumble. She soon realized he was humming a tune. By the time Emily recognized the tune, Alexander had begun to rock and sway their bodies to the familiar beat. Once they had made a full circle, Alexander began to sing. His voice was smooth, deep, and soft, like a voice you would have heard sing the song originally, in the 1940’s.

I can only give you love that lasts forever,

and the promise to be near each time you call.

And the only heart I own, for you and you alone…

That’s all, that’s all…

The lyrics flowed from his mouth like rich melted chocolate; there was no need for instrumental accompaniment. His voice held the melody with precision, as if a full orchestra were already present in the room.

I can only give you country walks in springtime.

And a hand to hold when leaves begin to fall.

And a love whose burning light will warm the winter’s night.

That’s all… That’s all…

There are those I am sure who have told you

they would give you the world for a toy.

All I have are these arms to enfold you,

and a love time can never destroy.

It seemed as though Emily’s heart were truly and literally melting. She felt the tears well up in her eyes once more as she wondered why on earth he loved her so much, and what was so great about her that he would feel this way. Alexander then finished the song in a soft tone just above a whisper:

If you’re wondering what I’m asking in return, dear,

you’ll be glad to know that my demands are small.

Say it’s me that you’ll adore, for now and evermore.

That’s all… That’s all…

After he finished, Alexander continued to hold her in a tight embrace until her supple sobs stopped. When Emily finally gained control of herself she looked up to meet his tender gaze.

“I’m sorry, Alexander,” she said, expressing her regret in each syllable.

“There is no need for an apology. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to tell you the truth in a better setting, with maybe a little more preparation.” Alexander now freed one of his hands and lightly tucked a lock of hair back behind her ear.

“I shouldn’t have acted that way. I know you had no control over everything that happened. I’m sorry I acted so immaturely.”

“I told you there is no need to say you’re sorry. You need to give yourself some credit, Emily. Believe me when I say that I have seen much worse reactions to much smaller problems. You have always handled yourself with grace and strength.” Alexander was now as close as he could be without their lips touching.

Emily felt her heart begin the familiar race, like a hundred horses were running circles deep within her chest. But as soon as she thought Alexander was going to finally kiss her, he loosened his embrace and leaned back a bit.

“No hard feelings, okay? No more feeling bad about it, promise?” He asked.

Emily gave a disappointed sigh. “Okay.”

“I didn’t expect that putting it behind us would make you even sadder. If feeling guilty somehow makes you feel better then you can do that if you prefer,” Alexander teased.

“No it’s not that. I agree, we should forget about all this and move on, I’m glad you’re being so forgiving. It’s just that… never mind, it’s silly.” Emily hesitated. Expressing her real thoughts right now seemed frivolous in light of what had just gone on between them.

“You know you can tell me anything, even if it’s silly. I promise not to laugh. Does that make it any better?” Alexander flashed his irresistibly warm, broad smile.

“I was just wondering… well, I’ve been wondering why you haven’t kissed me.” Emily felt her cheeks go red, but she pushed past the humiliation and continued. “Just seconds ago, it seemed like you were going to, and then you pulled away. Is it because… because you’re not attracted to me on the same level that I’m attracted to you?” Emily let her head hang down to hide her shame

Alexander abruptly pulled away and held her at arms distance. His hand guided her chin up so he could look directly into her eyes.

“Do you honestly believe that’s why I haven’t kissed you, because I’m not physically attracted to you?” Alexander sounded as though he was in utter disbelief.

“Yeah, well, it’s just that you look, well you look absolutely perfect, not even a hair out of place, ever. I’m definitely not in the same class, that’s for sure. And I don’t know if things are different for you Guardians when it comes to those types of physical feelings.” Emily retorted.

Alexander gave a tentative chuckle. “Emily that is one of the many reasons I love you. You are so blissfully unaware of all your amazing qualities. You have got to be one of the most humble people I know, which is unusual for your circumstances.”

Emily looked at him with a questioning gaze.

“
So what on earth does that mean?
”

Alexander shook his head. “Your beauty far exceeds that of anyone, or anything I have seen in all my existence.”

“I have a hard time believing that,” Emily responded, her lips tight.

“ I guarantee that I have studied your features more than you have. I know what I’m talking about. For instance, at first glance most people would say your hair is brown, but it’s not. It has copper highlights that run throughout it, and when you step out in the sun the red in your hair shines as though it’s on fire. Or your eyes. They might seem like a basic hazel but when looked at closely, they have golden specks that shimmer and dance when you are excited. Your thick black lashes generously outline their large almond shape, making them stand out even more.” He paused a moment and then whispered, “And when you’re upset or angry, those eyes of yours go bright green, especially when you cry.”

Alexander then traced the outline of Emily’s lips with his thumb. “Your lips are full and soft and when you get close enough you can see that the tops come to a perfectly sharp point, something I’ve never seen in all my years. Your skin is like silk that’s lightly touched by the sun. Your nose gracefully glides down with a slight upturn that keeps your face looking youthful…” He paused. “Your features, when looked at separately, are simply beautiful, but put together… you are breathtaking.”

Emily felt a rush go through her body. She had never looked at herself the way Alexander described, but she knew he was being honest. She knew that was how he saw her.

“So does every fiber of me yearn to hold you and kiss you? Of course! I can barely control myself when I’m around you. Never question whether I am attracted to you,
that
is
silly.” Alexander let his hand fall from her lips and backed away.

Emily took a moment to catch her breath. She examined Alexander’s expression. Everything he said was true and from his heart, but he was troubled. It was up to her to push whatever he had left to say out into the open.

“If you think I’m beautiful, and you’re attracted to me, then why don’t you kiss me?”

“It’s complicated. It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that I’m unsure of what the consequences will be for us if I do.” He gave a frustrated grunt.

“What do you mean consequences? It’s just a kiss.”

“That’s just it. It isn’t just a kiss, it could be more. I’m not sure because I’ve never done it in human form.” Alexander put his hand to the top of his head.

Emily could tell he was contemplating how to go about explaining things but she could not wait.

“You’ve never done it in human form? So you’ve kissed someone when you are invisible? How is that possible?” Emily was not sure where he was going with his confusing explanation, and could feel her patience quickly fading.

“It is possible. Remember I told you that we have the ability to take away illness and disease? Well that’s how we do it. When we are in our invisible state we give our Traveler a simple kiss and it pulls everything out of their body.” Alexander looked at Emily searching her expression for any clue as to how she was handling this strange new information.

“Do you kiss them on the lips?” was all Emily could ask.

She was slightly amused, but also relieved that his reason for not kissing her had nothing to do with how he felt about her.

“That is your only concern, where I kiss them? Ha, Emily, you are one in a million, that is for sure.” He laughed a little while shaking his head. “We kiss them on their foreheads. That’s all that is needed, nothing passionate.”

“Well then, problem solved. Only kiss me when you’re in your visible state. And as long as you steer clear of the target zone, which is easy since it’s my forehead, I don’t see the problem,” Emily stated in a matter-of- fact tone.

“I’m not sure if it’s that easy. I’m not certain I won’t affect you in this state. As far as I know it’s never been tried.” Alexander still seemed unconvinced.

“What is the worst that can happen? I will just be really healthy, no more trips to the doctor. That’s not so bad.” Emily expressed her excitement over he thought of not being ill anymore.

“We are talking about my abilities and issues I shouldn’t be meddling with in the first place.”

“Can you tell when your powers have an effect? Do you know if you’ve done something to the person?”

“I can. Guardians can feel whatever it is being pulled out of the human body and into us. Much like a rush of ice water through our mouths, and down our throats. Then it feels like something inside heats up and incinerates the cold feeling. I can usually see my Traveler give a slight shiver as well.” Alexander put his hand to his mouth in deep contemplation.

Emily moved in closer so that she was touching him again. “What if I kissed you? That’s different. I could give you a trial smooch right there.” She tapped his check, slightly twisting her finger at the side of his lips where a dimple would go.

“I don’t think I’m capable of just sitting there and letting you kiss me. Not returning the gesture would be more like torture than pleasure,” he huffed.

Emily squeezed in even closer and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Can’t we at least try? You would be able to tell if you had done anything and then at least we’d know. I don’t think I can keep from kissing you the rest of my life because of something that may or may not happen.” Emily gave him her best puppy dog look, the one she had used often on her father. But the truth was Emily was pretty nervous. She had never kissed a guy before. Yet she had also never felt this way about anyone either.

Alexander’s eyes softened and then his cheeks and lips followed.

Emily could sense his surrender. She slowly inched up on her toes so that she was close enough to his cheek. She had him and she knew it. Just then her cell phone rang and they both jumped at the abrupt interruption.

Alexander seized the opportunity to back away as Emily reached into her pocket for the phone. She had to answer it, simply because she knew exactly who was calling. She had forgotten to let her father know she had arrived safely and was sure it would be his panicked voice on the other end of the line.

“Hi Daddy… Yeah I’m fine, I just forgot to call. I’m really sorry…really. I’m just great, no worries, okay?” Emily paused in her conversation and listened to her father ramble a bit about how worried he was. When he had gotten it all out, they moved on. “It is raining here but I think it’s going to turn to snow any minute…..Oh, no actually I didn’t listen to the radio on the way up. I wasn’t aware they were forecasting that much snow.” Emily glanced toward Alexander with a baffled expression.

“I think I would rather stay here for the night too. You know me; I’m not a fan of driving in the snow….No I don’t think you should come up here. I don’t like the idea of you driving in the storm either; besides it’s not necessary. I’ll be fine, I’m actually feeling loads better. This trip was just what I needed…. Yeah, I will….Daddy I will. You act like I’ve never been up here alone before. I’ll be perfectly safe, guaranteed.” Emily winked at Alexander.

Emily listened to her father for another minute and then closed the conversation. “Yeah, I’ll probably head back sometime tomorrow whenever the snow stops and the roads have been plowed…I’ll call in the morning and give you an update okay? Alright, I love you too…Bye, Dad.”

Emily placed the phone back in her pocket.

Alexander raised his eyebrows in a questioning glance. “So, the storm is supposed to be that bad?”

“I guess so,” Emily responded, she hadn’t even thought to look at the forecast before coming out here. That was usually something she made a point to do.

“What, no chaperone then?” Alexander joked.

“I’m afraid not.” Emily could sense that he was somewhat concerned despite his attempt to make light of the situation. Emily was a little concerned as well. She hadn’t planned on isolating the two of them out here over night. But she trusted herself, and she trusted Alexander, they didn’t have an option not to; at least not in Emily’s mind. “That does change things a bit doesn’t it? But it’s not like my dad knew you were there last night.”

“Yeah but you weren’t trying to kiss me last night!” Alexander playfully retorted.

“Oh come on, I’m not that scary. And I’m not sure why you are so surprised.” Emily deepened her voice with a heavy mocking tone. “Come now, Alexander, you seem to be blissfully unaware of all your amazing qualities. You have to be one of the most humble Guardians I know.”

Alexander recognized his own words and had to laugh at Emily’s imitation of him. “I’m the
only
Guardian you know.”

“You bring up a good point. Do you suppose I’ll ever get to meet another Guardian, or is that a no-no as well?” Emily joked.

“The only one I can think of that you might want to meet, and that I know wants to meet you, is Xavier.”

“Who’s Xavier?”

“He’s my best friend, my Brother, and for whatever crazy reason unknown to me, he is your father’s Guardian.” Alexander shrugged his shoulders.

“My father’s Guardian? I guess I totally forgot about him in all this. Of course he would have one as well. Are the two of you often assigned to the same families?”