Between the Waters (Symphony of Light) (15 page)

Love,

I put this note where you were sure to find it. Sorry for leaving without waking you, but you needed your rest and I was needed at the hospital early.

It occurred to me that even though I’ve known the pleasure of your company in bed, I have not experienced an evening out with you.

Please allow me this one indulgence. I’d love your company tonight for a meal and conversation.

There is one important favor I need to ask of you, if you’d be so kind. I’m in need of your assistance at the hospital. If you could meet me there, I would be ever so grateful.

The hospital address and my department are on the back of this note.

Yours always,

Stanton

An evening out? Like a date? Could I do that? Sex was one thing, but would getting to know him better only make it harder? If I ever broke the spell, he’d not suffer the repercussions, but I could get over it. I was strong enough, right? What could he possibly need from me at the hospital? I quickly showered, dressed, and was on my way.

I sat down in the car and flipped the card over. Children’s Hospital. He worked at a Children’s Hospital. I didn’t know why it never occurred to me, but it made perfect sense. It was where he could do the most good. Even though he infuriated me sometimes, he by far was the kindest person I had ever met.

“Cyril, can you hear me? I hope you can, because I’ve made a mess of things. I don’t know what to do about Overton, and what you did to Moreaux…well…when I get you back, I’m going to kick your ass. That poor man.”

I didn’t think I could miss him more than I did the first time he was gone, but I was wrong. If I needed anything, it was Cyril and…my other need…I couldn’t allow myself to say it. My mind had already announced it. It was true even though I missed Cyril and his domineering ways, I craved Overton’s compassion. Another big fucking disaster.

Entering the parking garage, the attendant leaned out of the window of the tiny booth. He looked at me and smiled. His pause made for an awkward moment while my car remained stationary behind the yellow arm that warned me to wait. He pulled on the brim of his blue cotton hat and asked, “Are you here to see Dr. Stanton?”

“Yes.”

“Now I see why he turns down all those nurses. You’re a pretty one.” He cleared his throat.

“Ah, thanks…can I park now?”

He stood up and hit the button to raise the electronic arm. “Have a good day, ma’am.” He shot a toothy grin that was a little too creepy.

“Ah…yeah…you too.”

I parked the car. It was still winter, and the cold chilled to the bone. Once inside, the brightly colored staggered tiles, statues of Mr. Rogers, and the smell of antiseptic greeted me.

When I reached the main lobby, a woman—fiftyish—approached me, her graying hair the same color as her smock that featured splatters of vibrant fake paint. “Excuse me, Miss Hill?”

“Yes.”

“Dr. Stanton said that he will see you in his office. It’s on the top floor. Make a left once you get off the elevator.”

“Thank you.” I’d never seen such service for one man in a hospital before. This was a major urban healthcare facility; hundreds of doctors passed through each day. How did Stanton rate so high?

“Oh, don’t you think he’s handsome? So charming. We all adore him.”

Now this was uncomfortable. “Well, yes, I suppose he is.”

“You know, we’ve never seen him so happy. He’s always so great with the children, but he’s been so…I don’t know…there’s just something different about him.”

I wanted to tell her that not getting laid in six hundred years will do that to a guy, but instead opted for a pained smile.

“Then he told us about you. We’re all so excited for him.”

Lovely. I started toward the elevator. I couldn’t take much more of the conversation. “Thanks. Nice to meet you…”

“Ester.”

“Ester, yes. I’ll tell him you gave me splendid directions.” I pushed the button. The doors opened. I stepped inside and faced forward.

“Oh, thank you, Miss Hill. You’ll need to—” Her words were cut off with the closing of the door.

The tenth floor. With each ding of the bell, I grew nervous. Why did this feel like a first date? It wasn’t as if I didn’t know him. I fucked him, for goodness sake. Perhaps it was how human his life was. Cyril always seemed so surreal, so out of place in his magnificence, but Overton blended in. He wasn’t an extension of humanity like Cyril. He was woven into the fabric of it. That made it harder because I found comfort, normality, and wasn’t who I was any more. Those things weren’t for me. They were an awful temptation that teased me with the promise of what couldn’t be, and Overton embodied them all.

The doors opened, and I turned to my left. At the end of the hall was a receptionist desk. The woman behind the desk was beautiful. Blond wavy hair, perfect complexion—her tight button-down shirt gaped, exposing her large breasts.

This is what he sees all day at work? I walked up to the desk. She didn’t acknowledge me.

“Excuse me. I’m here to see Over—Dr. Stanton.”

She lifted her head from the paperwork, smirked, and grumbled, “Go in.” Her voice was cold, and she narrowed her eyes. She pressed a button on her desk. When she spoke, her whole demeanor changed. She was sweet and cheerful. “Dr. Stanton, your guest is here.”

Bitch.

A buzzer sounded, and the door clicked. I opened it. I was expecting a desk, but something akin to a small apartment greeted me. But forget the furnishings, in the far corner stood Overton. He was drying off his hair and had a towel draped around his waist. He was stunning. The muscled planes of his back, his biceps accented by the drape of the towel over his round, sculpted ass, made my mouth go dry.

Why the fuck was I nervous?

“Love, I’ll be just a minute.” He turned around and headed toward me.

Was it the setting? Was it seeing him be so human? Was it the bimbo at the front desk? I felt like a schoolgirl with a bad crush.

He stood in front of me. I turned around to make sure Bimbo hadn’t followed. I didn’t want anyone else seeing him like this. Heat filled my cheeks.

“I’m sorry, you’re a little earlier than I expected.”

I cleared my throat and looked away from him. “I can leave.”

“Oh, no. I’m not upset. You’ll just have to give me a few minutes to get dressed.”

Or not. I glanced his direction. The towel tented in the front, and I swallowed hard. I had to get a grip. “Go…go ahead.”

“Linden, what’s wrong?” He grabbed my hand. “Come here, have a seat.” He led me out of the small foyer and into a living area. He motioned for me to sit on the sofa. Every time I looked at him, my heart raced.

He knelt and placed his hand on my cheek. “Your face is flushed. Are you feeling all right?”

“Yes. Just please go get dressed.”

“Something is wrong. Look at me.” He cupped my chin and forced me to look at him. “Please, tell me what’s wrong. If you don’t want to go tonight, it’s OK. I understand. But would you please at least do me the favor I need of you, because it’s really not for me.”

“What is the favor?”

“Let me get dressed first.” He placed both of his hands on my cheeks, then scooted closer, nestling himself between my legs. I felt his erection press against my thigh.

I stopped breathing.

“Linden, what is wrong?”

“I don’t know.” I felt tears fill my eyes. “I don’t fucking know.”

“I don’t believe you.” He looked into my eyes as if searching for something. He wiped a tear away. “Why are you crying? Did someone upset you?”

“No.” I sniffed.

“Please, love, tell me.”

“Why do you call me that?”

“Because I love you.” He smiled.

“How can you know that?” I sniffled again.

“How do I know? Because my heart races when I’m near you. I get this tickle in my stomach every time I look at you. When you’re away, I can’t wait for you to come back to me.”

Oh, fuck.

“Because I’d give anything, even my life for you. And mostly because even though I’ve existed for six hundred years and have only known you a few short months, I can’t imagine existing without you.” He cupped my cheek.

“But you’ll have to. I belong to Cyril. He’ll be back.”

“I know that. I also know Cyril knows my secret. That’s why he told you to come to me.”

I sat up straight. “What secret?”

“That I haven’t been celibate because I’m a priest or because I’m part-priest. It’s because I’ve been waiting for you.”

I pulled his hands away from my face. “What?”

“We both had prophesies of a beautiful redheaded woman. He envisioned making love with her, always saw parts of her body. I saw her in a white gown. It wasn’t until you came into our lives that we realized we were dreaming of the same woman. At first we weren’t sure if we could trust you, given that you had Cyril’s blood and we couldn’t figure out how you got it. Cyril never let me in on his past with you. I was the first to see you for what you were and then Cyril, once his memories were restored.”

It can’t be. The sob stuck in my throat wanted to escape.

“But you must realize, that as I much as I love you, I also love Cyril. He has been my friend for six hundred years. He’s the reason I exist. I would never stand in his way.”

I put my face in my hands. “This is all too unbelievable. Too hard. Too complicated.”

“Linden, there was never an issue between Cyril and me because you don’t love me. You love him. I can stand by and be your friend. Help you understand him. I’m content just knowing you’re happy.”

“You don’t understand. Oh, fuck me. If only it were so simple.” I removed my hands and looked up at him. More tears fell, staining my shirt.

“I’m sorry, I don’t follow.”

I was sick of talking and far too close to making a confession I couldn’t afford. I knew what was happening, but how did I stop it?

With both hands, I grabbed his face and pulled him to me. I crushed my mouth against his.

His back stiffened, but I didn’t relent. My mouth worked his, caressing his lips and moving until he wrapped his arms around me and surrendered. With equal force he returned my passion.

He pulled back breathless. “Linden, I don’t think I’ll ever understand you. But if you need to get lost in me to find yourself, I won’t stop you.”

My answer was another fierce kiss. This time I laced my fingers in his hair and pulled him to me. His tongue darted into my mouth. Another breathless retreat. “I think you know better than you let on…Overton.”

He growled. He sat up, and the towel dropped to the floor. His cock stood erect, large and straining. I kicked off my shoes. His hands moved to the button on my pants. He lowered the zipper. In one movement, he vested me of my panties and slacks, casting them into the room.

“I warned you.”

He pulled on my hips until my pelvis rested on the edge. He pulled my legs into the air, spread them wide, and slid his cock into me. When buried to the hilt, he said, “If you need a distraction…how about I fuck you so hard that when you come, I’ll need a new couch.” With that he set his pace. Fast and furious. Hard and deep. From my position I could see his magnificent body flex and strain with each motion. Beads of sweat formed on his chest. He pushed my legs further apart and angled my hips to give him more depth.

“Sometimes, Linden, it’s when you’re looking to lose yourself that you find what you need.”

Hard thrust.

I caught my breath. “I know what I need. Nothing. I can’t afford to need anything.”

He dropped my legs and wrapped his arms around my neck, pulling us closer together while lowering himself to his knees. He picked up the pace with deep, sharp thrusts.

He captured my lips. A quick hard kiss, then pulled back until his lips lingered just out of reach. “But you can want. We all want. Tell me what you want. Just say it.”

“I can’t.”

He increased his pace and shifted his pelvis so he hit the sweet spot.

“Sure you can. I’ll tell you what I want.” He nipped my lower lip. “I want you to come. I want to feel you squeeze me. I want you to cry out from the pleasure. That’s my wish. Your turn. What do you want?”

There was no way I would ever say it. The crest was in sight, so I focused on that and ignored his invitation to confess.

He pulled me tighter and buried his face in my throat.

He smelled so good. Musk and spice. I wanted him. I needed him, but I could never tell him. The day would come when I would need to let him go, so I refused to compound his guilt. If he felt his love was unrequited, we had a chance of surviving this. It was the least I could do for him.

“All right. You want to know what I want. I want you to shut up and fuck me like you mean it.”

“Without delay.” He crushed me to him and gave everything he had.

I screamed. “Oh, Stanton…fuck…ahhh…grr.” I bit my lip as the wave washed over me. No, not a wave, a tsunami.

He dug his fingers into my back as he pounded his hips against mine. So much force. I grabbed his neck and held on, melding our slick bodies.

I came and came hard, gripping him tight, making each thrust harder, but he kept the pace. I felt my wetness escape when he pulled out, only to slam back in.

He placed his mouth on my quivering lips. My body shook with tremors of ecstasy. He didn’t stop moving. He stopped his assault on my mouth for only a moment to say, “My turn.”

He held me tight against his chest, and with deep syncopated thrusts, he found release. Tossing his head back, he cried out. “Oh, Linden, I love you.” He grunted. “Fuck.” Emptying inside me, he pulsed with each stream.

He let out a deep breath and peppered my face with kisses. I laughed from the tickling sensation, but then looked toward the door. In all of her bimboness, stood his secretary. I screamed, “What the fuck are you doing?”

Overton laughed. “I’m certain we just had some pretty incredible sex. Was I mistaken?”

I smacked him in the arm. “Not you, her.” I pointed to her and tried to dislodge him.