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,
Although she wanted to, she couldn’t respond… at first. Stuck in a vicious cycle of being caught and murdered, she had to reach out to the present to pull herself free. After a short while, she opened her eyes and took in a deep breath. She looked at Monica and Raphael.“Serena, love…are you all right? Please, tell me you’re all right,” Raphael urged.“Yes, please. Tell us you’re okay,” Monica added.She lifted her hand and pointed at Raphael. “You…you’re Raphael. I called out for you and you never came. I…I was Sirona, the Goddess of Healing, and murdered for not giving my gift to those degenerates. I was…your wife!”As awareness dawned on her, she scuttled out of Raphael’s arms and stood strong on her own two feet. She may have been petite, but at this moment she felt like the fiercest Amazon warrior. “She’s the one who’s been in my hea
“Hi, Daddy,” Serena said softly. “It’s me, Serena. How are you feeling today? You seem good. Did Nurse Selma give you a haircut? It’s a little shorter.” She stooped to give him a kiss on the cheek and ruffled his hair.She ventured a long glance into his eyes. They used to be the most beautiful, sparkling hazel, changeable depending on his mood or clothing. Sometimes they were toffee, sometimes green, and sometimes they were even golden amber. But after the stroke, they had turned and stayed a muddy brown, reflecting no essence of the life trapped within. She laid her purse and water bottle on his hospital bed and pulled a chair up so she could sit across from him.What to say, what to say? Lie, damn it. And definitely don’t say anything about Jared!“I know I haven’t been here in a little while. Things have been crazy busy over at the shop. Everybody wants to see our beautiful mountains and rock formations,