The Mind Readers (16 page)

“Oh, okay.” But it wasn’t okay.
I wasn’t used to dressing so fancy, or using more than 3 pieces of silverware
at dinner. I’d look like a total dork. Even now I could barely stand in heels.
And please, I knew more than anyone how snobby people with money could act.

Lewis rested his hand on mine,
drawing my attention to him. He looked confused for a moment, his dark brows
drawn together. Our steps slowed as I waited to see what was bothering him. His
lips parted as if he was going to say something, but instead he shook his head,
remaining stubbornly silent.

“What?” I asked, feeling
completely self-conscious. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

He gave me a half-smile, his cheeks
flushing. “It’s just…I’m not used to reading body signals.”

We paused at the top of the
steps. “What do you mean?”

He looked away, as if he was
suddenly shy. “I’m not reading your thoughts and I meant it when I told you I’d
stopped. But…now I’m wondering what the heck you’re thinking and I don’t like
not knowing. Are you flushing because you’re nervous? Excited?”

I grinned, relieved his problems
weren’t anything more serious. “Now you know how I felt when I met you.”

We started down the steps
slowly, both of us wanting to prolong the moment. “So, I guess we’re even
then.”

I bit my lower lip to keep from
grinning. I loved when he teased me and we’d been so serious studying
meditation and blocking thoughts the last few days that it hadn’t happened
often. “I guess so.”

“Cameron, Lewis,” Aaron called
up to us. “You ready?”

I was disappointed that my time
with Lewis was over but eager to try my new ability. More eager to impress
Aaron. I’d been meditating a few times a day, but still, I felt the tingle of
nerves as Lewis and I arrived in the foyer. They treated me like some sort of
prodigy. I wasn’t complaining…much. It was odd going from being ashamed to
proud of what I could do. But I couldn’t help but worry I’d disappoint Aaron and
then…who knew. He’d toss me from the house in shame? Find a new toy, as Olivia
had said?
 

“You look lovely,” Aaron said
and kissed my cheek in a fatherly show of affection.

I flushed, unused to
compliments. “Thanks.”

He pulled back, but his spicy
cologne lingered around me, comforting. “Now, there are only a few people here,
no need to worry. Lewis will help you out.”

I nodded, nerves making my
stomach churn.

Aaron took my hand, pulling me
away from Lewis. “You’ll be fine. Just make polite conversation and try to keep
that wall in place.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and led me toward
the living room, or parlor as they called it here. I looked back, needing to
see Lewis. He smiled at me, his presence giving me strength.

Before we made it into the room,
a tall woman in a short, tight black dress came toward us. She didn’t seem to
have any problem walking in her heels, which were a good inch taller than mine.
She was thin with tanned skin and long, black hair. Indian? I wasn’t sure. She
was gorgeous and could’ve easily been a model. Was everyone here beautiful? I
shifted in unease, my stupid insecurities rushing back.

“Cameron,” Aaron started. “This
is Deborah, she helps around the house, sort of a dorm mom. If you need
anything, she’ll be happy to help you.”

Dorm mom? As if I’d believe that
this woman, with her supermodel looks, was a glorified nanny. And how many
children were here, anyway? Besides Caroline, Sam and Olivia, I’d met no one
else. She smiled, but her dark eyes remained cold. Without a word to me, she
leaned closer to Aaron and whispered something I couldn’t hear. The way they
whispered, the way she slipped her arm through his, I couldn’t help but wonder
if they were dating. She sashayed away without a goodbye or nice to meet you and
I was left to wonder who she really was.

Aaron took my arm and pulled me
into the room. Lewis had said only a few normal people would be here, but there
were at least ten guests gathered in the large room. I swallowed my nerves and
pasted a smile upon my face. A rush of thoughts and conversation bombarded my
mind. After having gone days in silence, the sudden invasion was almost too
much. My skull seemed to expand, my brain aching.

I would have staggered back if
Aaron hadn’t been holding me upright.

“You all right?” Lewis was
suddenly by my side, his face showing his concern.

When he held out his hand, I
took it. “Yeah, just not used to all the thoughts. Didn’t sleep well last
night. I heard someone crying…”

“The wind,” Aaron said, smiling.
“It’s a creepy sound sometimes. But you’ll get used to it.”

He was lying, or maybe he really
thought it was the wind.

Lewis gently squeezed my hand,
drawing my attention to him. Stay by me, all right?

I nodded, pushed away from Aaron
and made my way into the space. Needing time to gather myself, I looked away
from the elegant guests and studied the room where I’d done my meditation
exercises with Lewis and Aaron. A fire was crackling warmly in the large stone
hearth. The curtains covering the floor to ceiling windows were tied back,
showing the quickly setting sun and the expanse of the front yard.
 

In the background the soft sound
of classical piano music played on hidden speakers, combining with the chatter
of conversation. I tried to focus on that music instead of the thoughts
bombarding me, fighting for attention. Aaron had moved away from us and was
already engaged in conversation with a short, round man with a bald head who
reminded me of Humpty Dumpty.

As if sensing my attention,
Aaron turned toward me. “Cameron, I’d like to introduce you to Dr. Carl.” Aaron
was smiling, but his gaze was all business. “He and his wife vacation on the
island.”

The bald man smiled. “Lovely to
meet you.” When he held out his hand, I took it automatically. His palm was
cold, damp, kind of gross.

I want you to focus on his thoughts,
Lewis said.
Dr. Carl is your target.
 

Target? Like I was some secret
agent. I frowned, barely listening as Dr. Carl and Aaron talked about his plans
to return to the mainland.
Doesn’t
focusing on his thoughts defeat the purpose of blocking them?
I asked.

Lewis grinned, his blue eyes
twinkling.
Just trust me. You have to
focus on the thoughts first, focus on the person you want to block, before you
can start blocking them.

Okay.
I looked at Dr. Carl, focused on his faded blue gaze, the
lines at the corners of his eyes, the way his lips were moving, smiling, then
frowning, smiling again. He smelled odd, like cologne and old man.

Did I pay the mortgage? Shit, I can’t remember.
He thought as he
took a sip of the champagne he held and glanced around the room. Of course he
hadn’t a clue his thoughts were entering my mind, punching me over and over in
the gut.
Is there enough money in my
account? If Karin finds out that I’ve lost everything she’ll leave me. Does she
look suspicious? She does, she’s frowning…

A heavy sense of sadness weighed
down upon me, sucking the energy from my body. His sadness. His gaze settled on
the woman across the room, a woman much younger and better looking than him.
His wife Karin. He loved her. But it wasn’t a true love he felt, but more like
an obsession. She was using him for his money, and he knew it, but didn’t care
as long as he had her.

“And how are you enjoying your
time on the island, my dear?” He glanced at me.

“It’s very nice,” I muttered,
trying to keep up my concentration as well as talk to the man. Aaron drew him
back into conversation and I was left blessedly alone.

Okay,
Lewis said.
Keep
focusing on him, but this time imagine that ocean you brought to mind so well
the other day.

I took a deep breath in, out,
in…out. Quickly enough my body began to relax. The room faded, the people and
the noise morphed into ocean waves, roaring in and out with the tide. Dr. Carl
appeared before me. Instead of his suit, he was sporting a Speedo, his huge gut
hanging over the tight swimwear. Why wasn’t I surprised in his choice of
swimwear? He smiled down at me. I cringed, grossed out.

Be gone, you fool,
I muttered and pictured that wall. Those music
notes coming from his head bounced away. I giggled. I couldn’t help myself. He
looked so ridiculous wearing a Speedo while those notes hit him in the head.
Soon enough, he faded too and I was left on my ocean island paradise alone. I
was free here, in my little mind world, free to relax, free to breathe and hear
what I wanted.
 

A sudden hand on my arm jerked
me back into reality. The parlor came harshly into view, the noise of
conversation overwhelming.

I blinked up at Lewis, he was
frowning.
Only block his thoughts. Keep
focused on mine. You’re fading completely away. I want you to focus on my
thoughts and not anyone else’s.

I rubbed my head, my skull
aching some.
How?
This was more
difficult than I’d thought and I was growing quickly frustrated. Since my wall
was gone, thoughts came rushing back in and I had to wade through them to find
Lewis’s familiar voice.

Who do you hear?
he asked.

Everyone.

He settled his hand on my back,
the warmth of his palm comforting.
Right,
so just focus on me, much like you did on that ocean last night. Focus on my
thoughts. Not my voice, but my thoughts.

Startled, I looked up into
Lewis’s blue eyes. He was seriously going to let me read his thoughts? There
was no mirth in his sincere gaze, his face completely serious. I admit the idea
had me practically foaming at the mouth. To be able to read his mind, to know
what he was thinking…. I felt the subtlest shift, a pressure released, and then
heard,
 

God, she has gorgeous eyes.

I blushed, but didn’t look away.
My heart was hammering madly in my chest as I realized the importance of this
moment. For the first time, I was reading his thoughts. He’d opened up to me,
trusted me. It was easy to remain focused on Lewis because I was so interested
in what he had to say.

His gaze slipped to my lips.

What does she taste like? Are her lips as soft as they look?

Heart swirled low in my belly.
He wanted to kiss me. He was going to try soon. How I wanted him to! In that
moment, no one else mattered. No thoughts entered my mind but his. I had total
control.

Aaron rested his hand on my arm,
breaking me from my concentration. “Ah, and here comes your lovely wife now.”
He was looking at Dr. Carl, but it was obvious he wanted me to pay attention.
Ugh, I didn’t want to pay attention to Dr. Carl’s lame thoughts. I wanted to
know more about Lewis.

Block Lewis and practice on the woman’s thoughts. She’s coming now.
I was surprised to hear Aaron’s voice in my head.

My brain was thumping again.
There were too many people telling me too many things. I didn’t want to know
what Dr. Carl was thinking, or his plastic-looking wife. I wanted to focus on
Lewis and what he thought about me.
 

Dr. Carl’s wife Karin came
sashaying toward us in a tight red dress that showed off every inch of her fake
boobs and probably fake butt. I realized this would be Emily five years from
now; sexy, beautiful and completely self-centered.

“Hello, darling,” she slipped
her arm through her husbands and leaned close to him.
I can’t believe I have to be here. Ridiculous, talking to children.
Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly on me.
Why
is her dress better than mine? How the hell can she afford something like that?
Please tell me she’s not sleeping with Aaron.
 

I almost grimaced at the
disgusting thought, but managed to force my lips into a smile. “So nice to meet
you,” I said with mock sincerity.

Really,
Lewis asked.
Is it
really nice to meet her?
 

I slid Lewis an annoyed glance.
He grinned down at me.
You know, I could
totally see you two being B.F.F.’s. Slumber parties, braiding each other’s
hair. You’re about the same age.

I pressed my lips together to
keep from laughing.
Would you shut up?

Ready to try again?
Aaron asked, interrupting. Was it my
imagination or did he sound annoyed?

I gave a discreet nod and
focused on Karin, pushing everyone else’s thoughts to the side.

Why doesn’t she love me?
Pathetic Dr. Carl slipped through the
cracks.

How will I pay my bills?
Someone else was thinking.

Wonder if this winter will be cold.

Ugh! I took a deep breath in and
out, and focused on my beach, on the roar of the waves, while staring blankly
at the crowd in the room.

Okay,
Lewis’s voice broke through my defenses.
Now let’s switch. Focus on my voice. Just my voice.

Then talk to me,
I begged. I couldn’t do this alone. I needed help.
I know they thought I was some genius prodigy, but I wasn’t and eventually they
were going to realize I couldn’t do what they wanted me to do. Might as well be
now.

Okay,
Lewis started.
I’ll
talk to you, about you, because you like when I think about you.

I flushed and looked away from
him, taking the cup Aaron handed me, but barely noticing the man. The other
voices around me dimmed. Breathe in…out. Focus on Lewis. It was so easy to
focus on Lewis.

And?
I asked.

And…and I like your laugh. It makes me want to smile.

I bit my lower lip, feeling
giddy and warm. I couldn’t look at him, afraid I’d break down and throw my arms
around his neck. I took a sip of the champagne. I’d tasted alcohol before, but
rarely. It was bitter and bubbled oddly on my tongue. I wasn’t sure if I liked
it.

And,
Lewis continued as he gazed casually around the room,
did you know that when the sunlight hits
your hair, it has a red tint?

Red?
I jerked my gaze toward him.

He grinned.
I like it. And…I like you.

I couldn’t look away from him. I
felt like I was drowning in his blue eyes and I welcomed the death. Vaguely, I
knew the entire room had grown silent, no thoughts seeping into my brain. The
only sound was my heart beating, his heart beating. I heard no thoughts but
his…I’d succeeded and didn’t care.

A warm hand suddenly touched my
arm. I jumped, glancing up at Aaron. He was smiling down at me, pride
shimmering in his eyes as if he’d realized the importance of my success even if
I hadn’t.

Aaron winked down at me.
I think you deserve a break.
“Would you
escort Mrs. Carl to the restroom?”

I set my glass on a side table.
“Sure.”

“I’ll go with,” Lewis said
immediately.

Aaron seemed surprised, his
brows drawing briefly together. But before Aaron could object, Lewis latched
onto my arm. I had to give him credit for not cowering under Aaron’s obvious
disapproval. We started into the hall, Mrs. Carl following.

“I like your dress,” I said
mostly to make conversation.

She smirked down at me like I
was all of five years old. “Of course you do.”

I slid Lewis an amused glance.

This place is way nicer than ours. How much longer do I have to stay
with Carl? Perhaps I should test Aaron. Of course he’s interested in me, but
how long before I could move in after divorcing Carl? Aaron obviously has
money, I am not going to let some teenager get what I deserve.
She slid me
a look of disgust after she’d thought those vile thoughts.

Lewis and I shared a glance of
disbelief. My God, the woman was arrogant and disgusting. Lewis grinned behind
the woman’s back, finding her more amusing than repulsive. “Right through this
door,” he said.

Without a thanks, she sashayed
into the bathroom.

I shook my head, turning toward
the living room. “What a b—”

Lewis grabbed my hand and jerked
me around. “Lewis, what are you doing?”

He started running down the back
hall, dragging me with him. I tripped over my heels, passing gawking servants,
and laughing so hard I could barely stand. “Lewis! Where are you going? Aaron
is waiting for us!”

He shoved open the back door and
we stumbled outside. “He won’t notice.” He paused and I fell into his chest. My
legs were weak, my balance off. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the heels,
or because I was so close to Lewis. Our laughter faded as a sense of solitude
wrapped around us. Only us. His face was serious, his gaze warm under the soft
glow of the backdoor light.
 

“You’re cold,” he said softly.

“I’m all right.” Even though I
wasn’t, I was afraid if I told him I was cold, we’d return to the party. It was
freezing and the wind was doing quick work of pulling down my hair from the
pins I’d secured it with earlier.

He shrugged off his jacket and
placed it around my shoulders, his warmth and scent clinging to the material.
It was totally romantic and my heart swelled with the act. He pulled the edges
of the jacket closed, at the same time tugging me closer to him. I knew if I
looked up into his eyes, he’d kiss me. My heart hammered, warring with my
rational mind.
Don’t do it
, my mind
said.
What if he pushes you away?
Screw you,
mind, my heart thought.

I looked up.

For one moment we merely stared
at each other. Finally, just as I was getting ready to bite the bullet and kiss
him, he lowered his head. My eyes closed and I held my breath, waiting. His
lips met mine. A soft kiss, a wonderful kiss. My toes curled in my shoes, my
heart jumping madly against my ribs. I’d been kissed before, but never had it
felt this…soft, warm, intense.

All too soon, he pulled back,
then just as quickly, leaned forward and pressed his mouth to mine again…as if
he just couldn’t help himself. I wanted to sink into him, to hug him close, to
kiss him again and again. When he pulled back the second time, I let him, too
shy to ask for more.
 

He stared at me for one long
moment and I wished more than ever I could read his mind. But I didn’t dwell on
the fact that I didn’t know, instead, I savored the quietness of the moment. I
savored the feel of his warm hands on my waist while the cold wind bit at my body.
I savored the taste of him on my lips.
 

He smiled down at me, a personal
smile, a smile that said we’d shared something amazing. “We should get back
inside.”

“Yeah,” I whispered, knowing our
time was up, at the same time knowing that while I was here we’d have plenty of
chances to be together. I slid my hand into his, following him into the house.

Chapter 12

There was no one in the
breakfast room when I came down the next day. To say I was disappointed would
be an understatement. I hadn’t had a chance to talk to Lewis since our kiss.
Part of me was a little nervous; what if he regretted it? Blamed it on the spur
of the moment? Told me I was disgusting and he never wanted to see me again?
Another part of me wanted to see him face to face hoping to understand what had
happened.

Aaron’s breakfast room was as
impressive as the rest of the house and although stylish, I wouldn’t call it
comfortable. A side table held a variety of food placed on silver platters that
mysteriously arrived before anyone else did, yet the food was always warm.
Piling some eggs and fruit onto a porcelain plate, I settled at the end of a
long cherry wood table, and glanced at the many chairs. I felt lonely, staring
at those empty seats, sitting in this oddly quiet house. Lewis said the other,
younger children were kept in the dorms below, or they’d run rampart through
the house. At the moment, I didn’t think I’d mind the craziness.

My plate of fruit and eggs was
suddenly unappetizing. I was too damn nervous about seeing Lewis to eat. I
wasn’t wearing my typical zip up hoody. Instead, I’d actually made an effort
and was wearing skinny jeans, a green sweater and make up. I’d even left my
hair down, allowing it to fall in waves around my shoulders. I hoped I didn’t
look like I was trying too hard.
 

“Hey,” Olivia came into the room
and settled a few chairs from me, pouring a glass of orange juice from one of
the pitchers on the table. She was sulking, crouched over her glass like a
caveman…or cavewoman. She was wearing black again, a sweatshirt and dark jeans.
She didn’t look like she wanted to talk, but I couldn’t help but be relieved I
wasn’t alone any longer. My relief quickly gave way to curiosity. How long had
she been here? What had happened to her parents?
 

“Two years.” She looked up at
me, bringing that lock of hair to her mouth. Under the bright morning light
streaming through the open windows behind me, she looked even paler than
before, dark circles under her eyes, as if something was keeping her up at
night.

I drew my fork through my eggs.
“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been here two years. You
were wondering how long I’d been here.” She didn’t look at me as she answered
but picked up her glass and drank.

I frowned. Okay, maybe being
alone was better than having company. “It’s not polite to read my mind.”

She looked at me, her dark brows
drawn together in confusion. “Why? Haven’t you read minds your entire life? How
is it any different?”

“Because…just because it is.” I
set my fork down, the metal clanging against the porcelain plate. I was annoyed
with her because I knew she was partially right. “Lewis doesn’t read my mind.”

“Aww, Lewis is it?” She laughed,
a harsh, sarcastic sound that bit at my nerves. “So you and Lewis are
together?”

I flushed, wondering how the
heck I’d answer that question. I mean, we’d kissed, but it wasn’t like we were
registering for his and hers towels. And even as I thought the words I flushed
with embarrassment, knowing she now knew.

“You don’t have to answer.” She
sipped her orange juice and smirked at me over the rim of her glass. “You think
you’re the first one Lewis has led on?”

Her words hurt, but even as I
cringed, I forced myself to focus on the fact that she was jealous. After all,
how often could Lewis really date when he lived on an island with a total
population of three? “Listen, I get it, you were the only female here for a
long time…”

She laughed again. “You think
I’m jealous?” She shook her head and stood, her movements jerky and stiff. “I’m
warning you because I’m nice. You’re a pretty, new toy and just like all toys,
he’ll grow bored with you.”

Anger replaced my hurt. “If it’s
so bad, why are you still here?”

She shrugged and picked up that
damp lock of hair, leaving her glass on the table. “Free room and board.
Besides, I’ve no place else to go.” She slipped that lock of hair between her
lips, chewing on the strand as she left me sitting there alone.

Perfect start to the day. I took
a bite of eggs, barely tasting the food. I wanted to ignore her remarks, but
they bothered me. Not only had she implied that Aaron was using me, but that
Lewis was going to dump me for the next available girl who came along. She was
wrong, just jealous. Yet…what if she wasn’t? How well did I really know Lewis
or Aaron?

“Hey.” Lewis appeared in the
doorway as if I’d conjured him. Wearing a blue vintage t-shirt that matched his
eyes and dark jeans, he looked totally hot. Way too hot for me. I didn’t know
if I wanted to throw my arms around him or cry. God, Olivia was right.
 

“Hey,” I muttered, dropping my
gaze to my plate.

He moved to the chair right next
to mine and plucked a grape from my plate. His warm, clean scent swirled around
me, turning my insides to mush. Screw Olivia, what did she know about anything?
His hair was damp, as if he’d just taken a shower. He looked and smelled so
good I had to curl my hands on my lap to keep from reaching out to him.

“About…last night.”

Surprised, I stiffened. Was he
really going to bring up the kiss? I held my breath and waited, part of me
anxious the other half terrified.
 

“I…We…” His cheeks flushed and
his thick, dark lashes lowered as he stared at the tabletop.

Please don’t say it was a mistake, please don’t say it!

“Will you go out with me?” He
looked up, sincerity in his gaze. “I mean, on an actual date.” He smiled and my
heart did an odd flip. “We can’t really leave the island, but there’s a nice
restaurant—”

“Yes,” I blurted out.

His smile widened and he grabbed
another grape. “Good. Tonight then?”

I nodded, too giddy to talk.
Olivia had been wrong, the little witch.
 
 

We didn’t speak, merely sat
there, staring shyly at each other. I wasn’t sure how long, but it seemed like
it hadn’t been nearly long enough when Aaron suddenly appeared, totally ruining
the mood. He was smiling like always, but when he saw us sitting so close, his
smile wavered. I scooted back from Lewis, embarrassed, although why I wasn’t
sure. It’s not like we’d been doing it on the table.

“Lewis, can you leave us for a
moment?” Aaron asked.

My heart plummeted. This
couldn’t be good. Lewis slid me an unreadable glance then stood and left the
room. I gritted my teeth, resisting the urge to call out and beg him to stay.

Aaron took Lewis’ vacated seat,
his face fatherly serious. “Listen, I know you and Lewis have something going
on.”

Heat shot straight to my cheeks.
“Did Olivia tell you?” I demanded a little shrilly.

He brushed his hand through the
air, dismissing my comment. “No, I…I read it, you don’t keep your thoughts to
yourself very well.”

Not the first time I’d heard
that. I frowned, dragging my fork through my eggs. Oh God, what else had he
read? I guess I’d known all along that he could hear my thoughts, but I hadn’t
really figured he would. I sure as hell hadn’t liked it when Grandma read my
mind and I didn’t want Aaron to either.

He rested his hand atop mine,
stilling my movements. “I know you like Lewis, but I think you need to take
things slow.”