"I know, doc. You're a real loyal patron, and the prettiest I have."
I was just about to thank him for the compliment when Barry Manilow's
Mandy
came on the Jukebox.
I froze as the lyrics assaulted me.
No, no, no.
"What's wrong?"
I looked at the bartender “This song..."
"What about it?"
At the launch of the chorus, I downed my drink in one swallow, slammed the glass down and dug in my purse to pull out my wallet.
"No need,” Abe waved off.
I had to leave. I had no time to argue with him. “I want to and I can more than afford it,” I assured him.
Someone called out to him at the end of the bar.
"Please just take it,” I urged.
"Don't worry, hon, it's already been paid for,” he explained as he walked toward the waiting customers.
I frowned in confusion. “By who?"
"Me."
Sandalwood danced in the air.
I didn't turn toward the deep, familiar voice. There was no need. It was all a figment of my imagination. I drank my liquor too fast and it went straight to my head.
"Brenna, look at me."
Tears formed in my eyes. Tomorrow, when I got to work, I would get one of the other doctors to prescribe me the drugs I had been avoiding. Obviously, my depression was worse than I thought. I was hearing things. Hearing people who weren't’ there. I'd just have to get over my denial and take the damn medication.
The imaginary person gently tugged my purse from my grasp and laid it on top of the bar. Strong fingers wrapped around my empty hand.
Not only was I hearing things, now I was seeing them.
I closed my eyes.
I refused to leave my self-imposed darkness even as I was pulled off the bar stool and onto my feet. I still didn't open my eyes even when my chin was gently tilted up and the imaginary person rubbed his thumb over my lower lip.
"Look at me."
Tears leaked past my lashes and scalded my face. I would not—could not look. If I did, he would disappear and the fantasy would end.
"Please,” he offered, wiping the moisture off my cheeks.
"No, you're not real,” I whispered.
He placed my hand on his chest. His heartbeat thumped beneath my palm. “I am."
"No, you're not. Not to me. We don't know each other."
"I know who you are. I have since the day we met."
The familiar comment produced memories that flashed across the darkened screen of my eyelids.
No. It was just déjà vu.
I shook my head. “I don't know you. You remind me of someone I met once, but that was a long time ago, in another life, in another place far away from here."
"Then let me introduce myself,” he said softly. “My name is Nickolas."
My eyes flew open.
He smiled.
"Is that really your name?” I whispered.
He chuckled. “No, it's Francis. But don't tell anyone."
I just stared blankly.
"I'm kidding, Brenna. It's Nick."
I caressed his check. He looked almost how I remembered him. Perhaps not as wild or dangerous. He'd traded his insurgent wear for stylish clothing. His hair was now neater, maybe a little longer. His face was clean shaven...
Shaven...
It suddenly hit me. The guy I ran into when I came in was ... My escort.
Oh, my God. This was really happening.
I gazed up into the dark eyes of my captor, Nick, and lost it. He caught me when my legs gave out. As he held me up, I covered my mouth with my hand to keep my sobbing muted.
"Brenna, breathe."
I couldn't.
He pulled me into his arms and hugged me tight, rocking me back and forth. “Breathe, sweetheart."
"I ... I-I never thought I'd see you again.” I choked into his chest.
"I'm sorry. I didn't intend to make you wait so long. As you know, with our location ... we had to move. I stayed to help set up the new residence."
"I would have waited ... forever."
"I know,” he sighed. “One of the many reasons why I love you so much."
"You're really here."
"Yes, I am.” He nudged me back. “Did you think I'd let you go so easily? After all the work it took to convince you to stick around?"
I giggled and swiped at my eyes. “How long until you have to go back?"
"I'm not."
I gasped. “Really?"
He nodded. “In Iraq, a very beautiful doctor once told me I should explore my other talents. That's what I plan to do."
"Which talents are you planning to explore?"
"I don't want to worry about that now. There's only one talent I want to focus on tonight. I was hoping you would help me brush up on it."
Did he mean...
Just incase he meant something else, I played it cool. “Really? What did you have in mind?"
"Well, I'll answer your question only after you have answered mine."
I rolled my eyes in exasperation. “Okay, hurry up and ask."
"That same beautiful doctor also told me that I needed to rest more. I had assured her that I would take a long vacation when I returned. I was thinking Greece. Will you come with me?"
"Yes. Yes,” I rushed. “Now answer my question."
"Wait, about that vacation. I need to let you know that it's an exclusive Santorini honeymoon package. I can only go with my wife."
In my excitement to have my questioned answered, I opened my mouth to say, ‘Yeah, sure, no problem.’ But his hint registered just as the words were about to roll off my tongue. I clamped my mouth shut, telling myself not to get my hopes up until he actually asked.
"Are you asking me what I think you're asking?” I whispered.
He held out a ring. “Have me forever?"
I bit my bottom lip as tears of joy filled my eyes. Finally, after taking a couple of breaths, I was able to loosen the knot in my throat. “Yes. I love you ... Yes!"
"I love you, Brenna,” he said, slipping the ring on my finger. He then gave me a searing kiss that had my body tingling in the most of naughty places.
I pulled back. “Hey, my question. You still have to answer my question. What talent do you want to brush up on?"
"Well, it's a talent that I used to be—and I quote—'amazing’ and ‘awesome’ at, but it's been a while..."
As usual, I blushed. “I'd be more than happy to help you brush up on your skills. After all, they say that practice makes perfect."
His heated gaze slowly roamed up and down my body. “I intend to do a lot of practicing."
Grabbing my purse off the bar, I dragged him toward the exit. “We should start immediately. My apartment is just around the corner."
I hope you enjoyed the first installment of my new series,
Desert Phantom
s. You will be learning more about these heroes in future books to come.
To enjoy some more sizzling reads, be sure to check out
Happy Reading!
~Tia Fanning
"Fanning the Flames of Romance"
When Tia Fanning is not lost somewhere in the exciting world of fantasy and romance, you might find her residing in Illinois with her husband, Warren, and two dogs, Drew and Jack.
However, according to her husband, she is usually lost ... even the dogs can't find her.
To learn more about Tia and her adventures, visit her at www.tiafanning.com or befriend her on www.myspace.com/tiafanning.