She traced the point of the letter opener up and down his thighs and back to center. She tapped resolutely, once there. He sucked in a breath and she watched him get hard.
“I know, I think I’ll tell you a story. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. It’s a short story, so listen carefully. There will be a question after. Once upon a time, there lived a girl who dreamed of running her own business, getting married, and having a large family. But one day, an evil man—that would be you—and his evil friends decided it would be fun to play soccer with the girl’s body. They kicked her and punched her like a piece garbage on the ground. The cowards left her in the desert to die, but the funny thing about it, she didn’t.”
Serena stalked around him, trailing the letter opener up one arm and around his neck. She stopped right at his jugular. “She survived, barely, thanks to the kindness of a stranger. But it was too late to s
I could be a father. Raphael stood dumbfounded at the notion. I could be a father, and there lies the woman who could be the mother of my child, despondent, broken, and an empty shell. He couldn’t let this go on a moment longer.“Serena.” He sat gently on the bed beside her. “Serena, you must know something very important. You must listen, Serena. You can still have children. Do you hear me? You were healed of everything wrong with you. Emma saw to that. So you can have the children you’ve been dreaming of, Serena.”She lay motionless, her stare devoid of all acknowledgment of Raphael’s presence. “Serena!” Raphael grasped her shoulders and shook her. “Serena! You’ve got to listen to me. You’ve got to snap out of this, sweetheart.” He grabbed her in a furious embrace that brought back tragic memories of holding Sirona in the same desperate way. Fear gripped him and frustration churned. He didn
She sat across from him with a smug look on her face, playing with the handle of her bag. It took a few moments before Raphael spoke through gritted teeth. “I think it’s time for Serena’s next dose. Why don’t you stick to healing her?”I cannot believe she just scolded me like a child.She ignored his remark and stood up, looking imperious. “By the way, I won’t say a word to anyone about Bull either, the worthless piece of refuse. Have you told Serena you suspect your dead wife’s soul has come to live within her?”He glared at Monica and simply walked out of the room.I’m being childish? Damn it! Who the hell does she think she is, presuming to tell me what I am and what I should do? Raphael fumed as he stormed out of the house to beat up the poor cactus he’d whipped to death the other day. Okay, maybe now I’m being a little childish. But if I couldn’t even save my own wife, wha
Ecstatic! Phenomenal! But something held Serena back from saying so. How can I be a mother when I’m not even in my right mind? “How do I feel? I feel like we shouldn’t put the cart before the horse. I feel like we should find out for sure whether I’m pregnant or not.”“Shall I get Monica in here? She’s waiting right in the living room. She’s been here for some time now, taking care of you.”“Oh yes, please!” Serena cried out, sitting up in bed and fussing with the blankets.“Okay, wait here. I’ll be right back.”She looked around her as he left. Mortification set in as she remembered everything that had occurred, all of the things she had said and done. Her thoughts were interrupted by Monica breezing into her room.“Well, hello! Welcome back to the living, my dear,” Monica cooed as she sat beside her. “We’ve got a lot to talk about, haven’t we?”“Yes, we do. Thank you first for coming out and helping me. It’s been a difficult time to say the least. You know, Jared is dead.” Serena’s
Serena seemed lost in the moment as well. She held onto him so strongly as though she knew he needed her. They stood planted in the center of the kitchen like a lover’s statue for what seemed an eternity. Her nose twitched.“The sandwiches, Raphael! I think I smell them starting to burn!” He reluctantly tore himself away from her, running to save the sandwiches from certain death by burning. “I’ll just go sit down.”He returned moments later with two plates of sandwiches and two bowls of soup.“Thanks! It looks and smells wonderful. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”“Stands to reason. You’ve barely eaten anything over the past couple of days. Eat up, honey, I can always make more.”They each settled into their meal and amicable silence. Raphael spoke first. “Monica tried to help me today.”“Oh, really? That’s good! Did she succeed? Do you have y
Serena’s mouth fell open as she peered out the living room window, curiosity having gotten the better of her. She stared in awe at Raphael’s immortal magnificence. She’d no idea where his shirt had gone, but thanked the dear Lord for the loss, as he was a vision to behold. Muscles rippled across his broad shoulders and down his arms as she watched him inspect his hands. She smoothed her palms over the window, aching for it to be his hard chest and stomach beneath them instead. She watched as he raised his arms to the sky and took flight.Raphael caught her watching through the window and smiled back. She hid back against the wall, banging her head in the process. How embarrassing, to be caught doing a Peeping Tom act! A light tapping on the window told her he had flown over and awaited her response. Though completely humiliated, she found herself turning again toward the window. There he stood, wind whipping madly about, tussling his hair in glorious disarra
The next few hours were spent tussling in the sheets, learning more about each other’s lives, giggling at times like new lovers, and making love as if they would never get their fill.“What do you do while I sleep?” Serena asked drowsily, planting little kisses on his chest and entwining her legs with his.“I watch you.” He combed through her hair with those deft fingers of his, sending mini orgasmic waves across her scalp. She purred.“Oh, come now, that can’t be all you do for so many hours.”“It’s true. You’re very interesting to watch. Better than TV, I would say.”She poked him in the side and he rolled away, giving a throaty laugh. She wanted him all over again. How crazy is this? I can’t get enough of him. It’s lunacy! It’s love. Damn it. Now that is crazy! He’s immortal, and I’m just a woman. This relationship is doomed from the start. When
A stray sunbeam fell across Serena’s face, warming her cheek and gently stirring her awake. She groaned and turned over. She groaned again, this time from subtle aches she felt from deep within. With eyes still closed, she smiled, remembering how she had acquired those aches. She reached out across the sheets in hopes of finding Raphael beside her. And he did not disappoint. “Dreaming of me, sweetheart?” Raphael whispered. “I’m always dreaming of you,” she sighed, and scooted closer so she could wrap herself around his hulking mass. “You’re my dream lover, remember?” He held her right back, tenderly kissing the top of her head. “I much prefer being your lover when you’re awake. How are you feeling? I heard you groan a little. Would you like any particular spot massaged?” “Oh, aren’t you a randy little angel? Or should I say, devil? I’m a little achy, but it’s a real good ache. A shower should do the trick. You know what, though? You could massage righ
He nodded as Monica walked passed him, back into the living room area. He followed quickly behind and sat down on the chair, not saying a word.“Serena, my dear, are you ready to begin?” Monica asked lightly.“Yes, I am. Tell me what to do, and I’m all yours.”“Well first, Raphael, you’ll be in charge of the digital recorder. Anything she says can be analyzed later, if necessary.” Monica handed him the device. “Press record when I begin the session. Serena, I’m going to have you hold this heart rate monitor while we do this. Place your thumb on the sensor, and it will transmit your heart rate during the entire process. Sit back now, close your eyes, and relax. Listen to my voice as I help you get to a deep state of relaxation.”With equipment ready, Monica began her litany of directions and soothing suggestions. In very little time, they saw Serena’s heart rate slow down considerably,
Serena awoke to the sound of birds chirping and the smell of fresh coffee brewing. She rolled over lazily, reaching out for Raphael, but the space was empty. With eyes still closed, she frowned. Where is that man? That man had probably been out of bed since the crack of dawn, beside himself with nerves for today’s big event, she thought regretfully. They were to be married today. Their lives intertwined for all of eternity. What man wouldn’t have cold feet at the prospect? And they’d known each other such a short time, too. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times, and frowned again. She had awakened in the safe house. Last night, she’d killed a man in her own home, and knew she could never go back there ever again. She didn’t care how good the Brethren’s cleanup crew could restore her home. It would never erase the vivid memories and horrors of what had happened there. She and Raphael would have to find themselves a new home, together. Until such time, this place would be it, th
It’s going to be a long day without Raphael, Serena thought, as she washed and dressed. But she carried on. With so many loose ends to tie up, final checks to be made, people and places to coordinate, she scarcely had time to think about anything else. Except for her father. In the quiet moments between the bedlam of planning a wedding, she reflected upon him and her heart ached. She had arranged for a nursing home staffer to drive him and his wheelchair to the Chapel of the Holy Cross for the wedding. They didn’t usually allow weddings there, but somehow, Raphael swayed their decision. Kemuel promised to wheel her father down the aisle beside her, and she loved him instantly for that. But her dream was to have him walk her down that aisle. A sob caught in her throat, and she quickly shook her head to whisk it away. None of that nonsense, Serena. Don’t be greedy. At least he is alive and here to be a part of it all. As the day waxed on to evening, Serena felt unsettled. She hadn’t s
Raphael spent the next few days cloistered with Serena, away from everyone and everything, like a honeymoon before the wedding. But every morning he made creative excuses to tear himself away from her for a little while and work with Fred. To make sure she didn’t visit her father, he dropped her off at her shop first so she could plan a small wedding with Callie and catch up on the mountains of paperwork.The healing sessions with Serena’s father went spectacularly, and with Raphael’s charisma, he convinced the nursing home staff to keep any improvements secret from her. They thought it romantic that he came to help with his fiancée’s father’s rehabilitation. Everyone there rooted for him, amazed at his miraculous awakening. All of the therapists worked their tails off during his therapy sessions, wanting to see their severely stroke-damaged patient beat the odds and walk his daughter down the aisle.On the morning of the fifth day, Raphael got Fred walking without any assistance.“Co
Raphael grabbed her hands. “Do it!” he demanded. He placed them on his temples and spoke to her through their bonded connection. She felt every thought he had had of Sirona over the years straight to the present down their threaded connection. She heard every thought he’d had of her, including every word he had spoken while holding her in his arms at Dr. Chappo’s estate. He sent her everything that filled his heart and soul about her, and finally, at last, she knew.She knew. And knowing was everything to her. He gently brought her hands away from his face, kissing her fingertips as he eased them down, and she took a few steps backward, looking at him as if for the first time. No one before had ever felt about her the way he felt about her, let alone express so strongly all he’d expressed when she’d lain dying in his arms.“You’re in love with me.” She gasped, astonished. Tears welled again in her eyes, but this time, for a very different reason.“Yes.” He took a bold step toward her.
A bundle of nerves, that’s what she’d turned into. Since leaving her father’s, Serena had been nothing but a bundle of nerves, rehearsing over and over again what she would say to Raphael up on the Rock. Looking all around her now, frightening memories kept popping into her mind, making her think that at any moment, Steve or Wheezer were going to jump out and nab her. Unfortunately, she had gotten to the summit way too early, and now paced like a caged bobcat. It had to stop. The bad guys are dead, Serena. Think positive, and let go the past. So, finding a suitable rock to sit on, Serena decided to do a little meditation to soothe her worried heart. “When I see him, I’ll know the right words to say,” she notified the birds. It may sting for a bit, but it’s for the best.****Raphael showed up at the base of the mountain with time to spare, and noticed Serena’s Jeep already parked. Perfect, he thought. He checked his pocket for the millionth time, making sure the ring box hadn’t fallen
Raphael watched Serena leave the nursing home from behind one of the bushes in the front. She seems in good spirits, he thought. Only when he saw her disappear down the street did he dare to venture out of his hiding place. He walked into the nursing home and headed straight to the reception desk.“Hello, I’m here to see Mr. Sikes.” He smiled amiably at the receptionist.“Wow, two visitors in one day. Fred’s a lucky guy. Sign in right here, please. You’ll sign out before you leave. Take this badge so we know you belong here. Room 103 is down the hall, make a left, and he’s at the end on the left.”He looked at her name tag, and winked. “Thanks so much, Judy.”Walking down the hall, he found himself fidgeting with the badge in his hand. Am I actually nervous? Hell yeah! Raphael, the man, is about to meet the father of the woman he loves. Raphael, the man, is about to ask for this guy’s daugh
Great! Just great! There’s a leak in my bedroom ceiling. Wait a minute, that’s not right. I’m not in my bedroom. I’m locked away in Dr. Chappo’s house. She remembered more. Being bound to a gurney, her body broken and dying. But I’m not lying on a gurney now, and I actually feel great. How could she be dying and still feel great? And what’s with the rain shower on my face? Slowly her eyes fluttered open, and she gasped.It was raining. Angel’s tears. Raphael’s tears, to be exact.She lay in his arms, and from the way he shuddered and sobbed, she thought maybe he didn’t know she lived. To be honest with herself, she’d only realized this fact just a few moments before. Iridescent wings were outstretched and trembling though no breeze made them flutter so.She gently raised her hand to caress his cheek and whispered softly. “Shh…there now, Raphael, shh. It’s all right. I’m ok
Raphael noticed a knob on the box. It made sense to dial it to its lowest setting. He followed the tubing to its clamp on Serena’s side and decided to completely clamp it off. Now, no more blood could flow. But he still needed to get the needle out of her arm. He found gauze and tape on the tray stand and proceeded to extrude the catheter from her arm carefully so as not to injure her. He replaced it securely with the gauze and tape. His hands shook. I can’t fall apart like this right now! He quickly shrugged off the threat of paralyzing fear.“Hey, Raphael, this guy says his name is Steve. Isn’t that the name of one of guys who assaulted Serena?” Gabriel asked.“Yes, yes it is,” he said through gnashed teeth. Rage filled him and he clenched his fists, trying to gain some semblance of control. “Bind him, tightly. Make sure he can see Dr. Chappo. I’d like him to see what happens to assholes like him when they choose
Searing hot pain shot like lightning throughout every inch of Serena’s body. Well, every inch she could feel, which left her very disturbed indeed, because she couldn’t feel anything past her waist. She could barely breathe without severe pain ripping through her chest and back. She knew what that meant—broken ribs. But what about her legs? Where were they? And why did her wrists feel shackled? Oh, dear God! What’s become of me? Her shallow breaths quickened. Her heart raced and fought for freedom behind her aching chest. Tears burst through her closed eyes and flowed untapped down the sides of her face.A voice sliced through the whooshing sound in her ears. A voice she knew all too well, and had come to despise with every molecule in her being.“Uh, Doc, I think she’s coming ’round. What do you want me to do?” Steve asked.“Hmm? Oh, nuffin. Nuffin, Seeve. Jus’ keep watchin’,” Dr. Chappo sl