Waves of Change (World Above Water, Book 1) (8 page)

“We’ve been chasing the Ver-Rist Tokos all over trying to find out more about this poison. How is it we aren’t any closer?” Chris’ eyebrows were pulled down, and he spoke through a grimace.

Daniel could sense how he seemed to be reaching the limit of his patience as they cleaned up after the latest interrogation. The work wasn’t hard since Daniel desiccated the body, leaving a disintegrating husk behind.

“We’re chasing ghosts. We need to find one of them who knows something. Something real.” Daniel was just as tired of running back and forth only to find they didn’t know any more than they started out with.

Taking out useless targets wasn’t something he enjoyed. Despite his ability to manipulate, influence, and control the water of others, it was impossible to erase the memories of other Leuk Ahnal. That included the Ver-Rist Tokos. Whenever they captured an enemy agent, they had to eliminate them. It was a waste of life, and it didn’t sit well with him.

“Don’t you think I know that? Each of these leads starts off hot, and then the trail goes cold. I think we’re being played.”

Daniel sighed and recalled the memories from this target. It was frustrating to be so close only to find he’d been going in circles. “We have to keep digging until we find the truth. What else can we do?”

Chris dusted his hands, made eye contact, and smiled. “What time am I supposed to be there tonight?”

Daniel’s bad mood disappeared at Chris’s question, and he perked up right away. “Seven, and don’t be late.”

“I don’t know about this, Daniel. What am I supposed to talk about with your genius doctor
Dau-Hael
? What do people even say to her?”

“Well, you can start with ‘Hi,’ maybe add a little ‘How are ya?’ and sprinkle generously with ‘I’m a complete idiot,’ mix and serve.”

“You really are a jerk off.”

It felt good to laugh after the day he’d had, and he clapped his friend on the shoulder. “Don’t be late, Chris.”

* * * *

Chris spent the car ride to Alicia’s house deep in thought. He’d never spent a lot of time with a doctor before, and he was at a loss on how to connect with her. By the time he found himself at her front door, he had even more doubts.
What if she asks me to turn my head and cough?
This was a big deal for Daniel, and he didn’t want to leave the wrong impression, but at the same time, he wasn’t sure what exactly he should talk about.
How about this weather we’re having? No, that’s just boring. How about that stock market? Ugh, that’s even worse.
Still standing at the door, Chris continued to think of ways to start a conversation with the most important person in his friend’s life.
Hey, did Daniel ever tell you we aren’t 100 percent human? No? It gets better! We track down other people like us and take them out. Here, let me show you.

It was hard to hold in the laughter that wanted to break free when he pictured Daniel’s face in that scenario, and Chris chuckled to himself.
Screw it. If she hates me, she has bad taste.
After pressing the doorbell, he stood up straight and glanced around the front of the house again.
This is a really nice place. She must be loaded!

When the door opened, Chris was greeted by Alicia’s warm smile, and he felt better instantly. “Hi, I’m Chris, Daniel’s friend.”
Genius, she knows you’re Daniel’s friend.
Wanting to smooth over his faux pas, he offered her the bottle of wine he held in one hand while pulling out the flowers he held behind his back. “I hope you like the wine, and these are also for you.”
Please don’t let her be allergic. Daniel will kill me if I make her sick, and I’ll never hear the end of his whining. Why did you try to kill my
Dau-Hael
? I thought we were friends!

“Thank you, Chris. Come on in and have a seat while I put these in some water.” Standing aside, Alicia let him pass before she closed the door behind him and headed for the kitchen.

He sank down into the comfortable sofa and allowed his gaze to travel over the entertainment system. Inside one of the glass cases he spotted several movies, but when he noticed the titles, his eyes widened. “Alicia, you like martial arts films?”

“Absolutely.” She made her way into the living room with a glass of wine for him. Daniel moved into the room with her, their fingers intertwined.

He hadn’t expected to find common ground with a genius, and he grinned as he took the glass from her when she offered it. “What’s your favorite movie?”

“Favorite? That’s a tough one; I like so many.” To prove her point, she opened an additional console cabinet, allowing him to see even more titles she stored for easy access.

“Wow, that’s a pretty badass collection, Alicia.”

“Hey, Chris, how’s it going? Forget how to say hello to your friend all of a sudden?” Daniel sat down on the couch and shook his head. Chris didn’t respond right away and stood to peruse the new titles on display.

“Shut up, Daniel, this is important.” After a few moments of scanning the collection, he turned to Alicia and dropped to one knee. “I know we just met, and this may seem sudden, but I’m absolutely certain we are soul mates. Please, Alicia, will you marry me? We can have five kids and train each in a different discipline.”

“Chris, what the hell?”

“Shut up, Daniel, I’m asking the most important question of my life here.”

Alicia looked back and forth between the two men, and without hesitating, leaned over and placed her hand onto Chris’ shoulder. “What are we going to do about him?”

Looking over at Daniel, Chris shrugged. “Can’t you have him committed or something?”

After laughing until her eyes watered, Alicia took a step away from Chris and headed toward the kitchen. “Why don’t you pick a movie for us to watch while I check on Daniel’s masterpiece in the oven?” As she neared the couch, she leaned over and spoke into Daniel’s ear. “He’s funny, but don’t worry, I’m not giving you up.” After a quick kiss on the cheek, she walked out of the room.

“Chris…”

“Daniel…”

“Why did I want you to meet her again?” His words said one thing, but the smirk on Daniel’s face said something else.

“Because you wanted her to see a real man so she could appreciate all she’s giving up to be with you.” Sitting back on the couch, Chris began to laugh. He knew Daniel wanted more than anything to punch him in the arm. “You’d better behave. You don’t want her to know about the domestic violence, do you?”

“When we’re alone again…”

“Oh Daniel, you animal! Don’t you think of anything else?” Chris lifted a pillow and placed it in front of his face like a shield. He peeked over the edge of it, and when he saw Daniel shaking his head, he smiled. “Congratulations, man. She’s awesome, and yes, she’s going to have my babies, all of them, and there will be videos.”

* * * *

When Chris left for the evening, Daniel and Alicia snuggled up on the couch. Alicia stood to pick up the remote on the coffee table, and when she sat back, Daniel pulled her into his lap and placed a light kiss on the back of her neck.

“Mmm, that was fun.” His voice was a little deeper, and in that moment, the sexiest thing she’d ever heard.

Her reaction was simultaneous, and she leaned into him and tilted her head forward. The feel of his smooth lips and warm breath on her skin created butterflies in her stomach, and a familiar ache developed deep inside her. She felt his hand on her jaw, and when he angled her head to the side, she didn’t resist. The wet, warm heat from his tongue against the side of her neck made her shiver, and she gripped his knee to keep her balance.

She squeezed her thighs together and clenched her inner walls, delighting in the feeling it created. “You’re making me so…” The moment the words left her lips, she felt Daniel shudder beneath her. There was no mistaking his arousal, and she rocked her hips with slow movements, grinding against him.

“You’re killing me, beautiful.” She heard his ragged breaths, and she licked her lips when he moved against her. His right hand caressed her jaw while his left moved up her side, making a slow trail against the fabric of the stretchy T-shirt she wore. When he brushed the backs of his fingers against the underside of her breast, she felt her body jerk, and she released a slow breath.

Daniel slid her off his lap and onto the sofa cushion next to him. He turned his upper body to face her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. When she leaned back toward the arm of the chair, she pulled him down with her. The sight of his green eyes and the way his gaze penetrated her made her feel high, and when he kissed her lips, a small moan broke free from her throat.

She could still taste the wine he had before Chris left. Its distinct flavor teased her taste buds while his tongue played with hers in a sensuous dance of passion. She weaved her fingers into his hair and pulled him closer, wanting to feel the weight of him against her.

He slid a warm hand under her top, and she arched her back when he drew a lazy circle around her nipple. When he gave it a tug, her breath hitched, and she broke the kiss to get some air. Her head was in a fog, and when he pulled back to look at her, she felt her mind clearing. “Your mouth is dangerous.” She tried to smile, but the tension in her jaw made it impossible. Her body screamed for more, but she still wasn’t sure if she was ready.

“Everything about you is dangerous, beautiful.” He placed a light kiss on her lips, her nose, and then her forehead. He lingered with his lips on her skin, and took deep breaths through his nostrils.

“Do you want me to help you out?” Guilt coiled like a serpent in her belly as she watched him try to calm down. When he sat up, she avoided his eyes.
He always knows when to stop, and he never complains. How did I get this lucky?

“No, I’ll take care of it.” He released a long sigh before he hooked his index finger under her chin and turned her to face him. “Don’t worry about it, beautiful. I’m not upset, I’m just… What’s the word you doctors have for hard?”

“Tumescent.” She couldn’t help her laughter, and the tension in her body started to melt away with the lightened mood. With a clearer head, she moved close and wrapped her arms around him. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on you.” She wiggled her eyebrows, and when he squeezed her tighter, she nuzzled into his neck.

“We’ve been over this. If you start using those amazing hands of yours on me, I’m going to want to return the favor. I’m not cool with one-sided exchanges. If I’m the only one enjoying it, I’m just using you. You’re too important to me to do that.” He kissed the top of her head and released another long breath. “I should get going.”

“What will the neighbors say if they see you in this condition?” She looked down at his erection and then looked back into his eyes.

“I don’t think I have to worry about your neighbors. I’m more concerned about what
my
neighbors will think when I’m done.”

* * * *

Inside Alicia’s front office, her office manager, Gladys, answered the phone as she checked over the young surgeon’s operation notes. “Dr. Lewis’ office.” She was preparing to transcribe the recordings, and she pulled up the appropriate screen on her computer.

“Hi, Gladys, it’s Daniel.”

“Hello, Daniel. How are you?” It wasn’t unusual for Daniel to call the office in the hope of meeting Alicia for lunch or for coffee.

“I’m good, thanks. I’m looking for Alicia. Did she leave her cell phone in the office?”

“Oh, she’s in surgery right now. My guess is the phone is in her lab coat on vibrate in her office or in the scrub room. Either way, she can’t hear it or answer it right now. I’ll let her know you called when she gets back.”

“Thanks, Gladys. You’re a doll.”

“Oh, Daniel. Don’t go making a married woman blush.”

Daniel chuckled into the receiver before he spoke again. “Talk to you later.”

“Have a good day.” Gladys was about to go back to her transcription of Alicia’s notes when the office door opened. “May I help you?”

“Yes, I was looking for Dr. Alicia Lewis. Is she in?”

“I’m sorry, she is unavailable. Is there something I can help you with? I’m Gladys, her office manager.”

“I would like to meet with her as soon as possible.”

“What is the nature of this meeting? Do you need a consultation?”

“No, my name is Grant Sullivan, and I’m from Rockland Pharmaceuticals. I wanted to sit down with her face-to-face to discuss the research offer we made.”

“I’m sorry, I’m not familiar with this information, but I can direct you to Dr. Bergen’s assistant. Perhaps she has more details.”

Frustrated, Grant stood staring at the woman blocking his progress.
I don’t have time for this.
Without missing a beat, he began to give a short sales pitch about the company while he secretly read her water.
Surgery … hmm … She won’t be alone there. I’ll have to come back.
With merely a thought, he held Gladys in suspended animation using her water.

He scanned the office and made note of the various awards and certificates displayed with Alicia’s name. He could see into her office, and there were even more accolades there.

He wanted to explore Alicia’s desk, but he couldn’t risk having someone come in only to find Gladys paralyzed. He was more than curious about what made the doctor tick. Since he couldn’t read her water in person, he’d take all the clues he could get.

He didn’t see any collectibles, works of art, or other decorative items in Alicia’s office. There was a model of the human heart on the credenza behind her desk along with a bronze version in the form of a trophy.
She’s all business. I like that.
He released his control over Gladys and erased her memory of being manipulated. “Thank you for your assistance. I will return another time.”

Gladys started to respond, but Grant turned and walked out before she could speak. He didn’t have long to peruse the rooms, but he gleaned much from his inspection.
I won’t bring flowers to our first meeting. I don’t think she’d appreciate that. I think I’ll do a bit of research on one of her studies. Perhaps she’ll find it intriguing while I study her.
I’ll have to keep the other agents in play, though. One of us has to get lucky and get her alone. Hopefully it will be me.
A smile spread his lips as he boarded the elevator at the end of the hall.
I will be back, Alicia, and when I get the chance, I’ll make you an offer you cannot refuse.