Nolans evolution wake up.., p.12
Nolan's Evolution (Wake Up #2), page 12
She obeyed readily, peeking up at him curiously as she did. "Why don't you sit? We'll talk."
He shook his head. "First I shower." He ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "I'm sure you have some extra men’s clothing here? Something maybe Nolan left behind from all of his stays?" He kept his gaze from the t-shirt she now wore, not wanting to open that can of worms.
Raina stared at her glass and gave a nod. "In the hall closet. Top shelf. I believe he left sweats and a shirt."
Thanatos patted her head as he passed. "I won't be but a moment," he promised.
Raina sucked on her straw trying to get down as much as she could without gagging. How much easier it would be if Nolan was here! She wondered if it was against the rules to call him just to hear his voice. That would help. She was sure it wouldn't one hundred percent cure her, but it would ease her mind.
She knew what else would ease her mind; knowing what Nolan and Thanatos were hiding from her! The "secret" was heavy in her thoughts. She didn't like secrets, never had. What could be so important to keep her in the dark? Why was she being left out? If the secret had to do with her then shouldn't she know too? She bit her lip and closed her eyes.
Turk laid his head on her lap and stared up at her with his puppy face. She patted his head and drank down the last of the disgusting concoction in her glass. She closed her eyes again and sighed.
When Thanatos came back down she was halfway between sleep and dreaming. She cracked her eye open and gave him a stare as he sat on the couch. She frowned, and fixed him with a real glare.
"What’s that for?" He leaned back against the couch back and folded his hands behind his head.
"You know what I'm going to ask." She shook her head at him.
He growled in his chest. “And I hope you know I won’t be answering.”
She ignored his response, and sat up a little. "What is it that you're keeping from me?"
He sighed and closed his eyes. "You know I hate keeping things from you. Ask me anything and I'll tell you…except for that." His green eyes opened to her. "It's something you don't need to know ever, Raina. I promise you I’d be the first one to tell you if I thought it was of any concern, but it's not. It would only cause you great grief and I won't be the one to put that on you."
"Well that sounds pretty important to me. It’s something that would cause me grief? Let me be the judge of that." Her mouth formed a pout.
"No," he said in an unwavering deep voice. "Drop it, Raina."
She didn't like to be ordered around like that but she could see by the set in his jaw that she was getting nothing out of him today.
"We do need to talk though,” he admitted. “Last night with Elenora showing up… that's serious business. I don't know what she's up to except maybe cause waves between you and Nolan. But there was some other reason she was there. We have to be careful Raina. I'm so glad you got to get out, but until I know the mind of Richard or Elenora we have to lay low."
Raina gave a nod. “Okay, I understand.”
He seemed pleased at her answer.
She cleared her throat and then smiled slowly when she knew she caught his attention.
“What?” he growled suspiciously.
Her smile widened. "Well, I was just thinking; if we lay low how will you get to go on your date with Arabella?" She smiled brightly at the widening of his eyes. She giggled and gave a shrug. "You talk too loud on the phone. I could hear you all the way upstairs." She lifted an eyebrow at him. "Or maybe you just get louder when you're nervous and excited?" She bit her lip against the laugh that wanted to escape. “Arabella is very sweet…and very pretty…and very immortal!”
His cheeks flushed with color and he shook his head. "I will have to hold off," he answered.
Raina frowned. "No, you shouldn't do that. Yes you’re my protector, but, Thanatos, you're supposed to have a life. Now granted, you've had a longer life than is proper, but you’re a different person now than you were six months ago. You're, in a way, starting over and I can't be the one that stops the new you from developing. I can't live with the thought of preventing you from enjoying life." She sat up. “I want you to go out with her,” she insisted.
Thanatos sighed heavily.
She growled in frustration and went to him when she saw him hesitate. “Listen to me,” she said gently. “Please!” She sat down beside him, and tried to catch his eye. “You need this, and I need this for you!”
"Enough, Raina! I don't want to hear about it." He folded his arms stubbornly.
"Fine, let me put it another way then. This is your penance for not telling me the secret. I can be just as stubborn, Thanatos Clay. Don’t let the protector mode get in the way!” She poked his shoulder to no avail…crazy immortal strength. “I’m telling you, one evening without you is not going to be the death of me."
He growled deep in his chest and shook his head.
"No! No arguments. I will shut myself up in this house. I'll turn out all the lights if that's what it takes. I'll hideaway for one evening, and you will enjoy yourself." She set a hand on his shoulder and then gripped his chin when he wouldn’t look at her and forced his face toward hers. His green eyes gleamed dangerously, but she was not afraid of him. "That's an order. Are we clear?"
He said nothing, just glared back.
She patted his cheek. “Good, it’s settled then!” She gave a nod and returned to her recliner.
He did not look like a willing subject. "I said no," he said coolly.
"And I said yes." She crossed her arms. "I can stay with Melinda or Emily if you’re worried about me being alone. Richard would never try to hurt me with witnesses." She met his green glare straight on. "Even Nolan, in his protective craziness, would allow me time with my friends."
"I'm not going to compare protection styles, Raina. When Nolan was protecting you from me or Elenora he had the upper hand. He was stronger than we were. He could afford to allow you out of his sight for periods of time. But that all changed when Richard came into play. I don't have strength to protect you physically from him. I do have my smarts and being careful is all we have right now. That, and the flimsy contract that Elenora's already disregarding."
"I'm not scared of either," Raina insisted. "I don't want to hide and skulk about. I want you to go and have a good time with Arabella and for once not be worried about me."
He rolled his eyes. "I will never not be worried about you! That's close to impossible.” He ran a hand over his face in frustration. “I wish for one moment you could feel what it's like to be a protector. I can't think of anything else, Raina, not even myself. It’s what I am…it’s all I am at the moment. Maybe it would be different without this impending danger!” His face held true sorrow for an instant.
“So it’s my fault,” she said softly.
He snorted. “No, Raina, it’s not. I will never be sorry I was chosen as your protector. Watching over you is not a job…it’s a privilege.” He grinned at her. “I love you, my friend. I truly do.”
“And I love you…you green eyed devil. So please do this for me! I will take the blame if Nolan finds out! Me, he will forgive.”
Thanatos laughed at this. “You couldn’t do one thing that Nolan wouldn’t forgive,” he agreed. “But I won’t allow you to take the fall.” He gave a shrug. “I can put my life on hold for now. It’s okay, beautiful. I promise.”
Her brow knit together sadly, not liking his answer. "You can't tell me that you don't want to go spend an evening with her. I heard the excitement in your voice. You need to do this just as I needed to start doing human things again. You may have this urge and this need to be a protector but just as strongly I have that need and urge to be your friend and see you happy."
She saw him hesitate at this. She knew he was considering it.
"One evening Thanatos you know you want to."
He blew out of breath and looked at her with uncertainty. "You are sure?" He leaned forward in his seat. "Should I tell Nolan?"
"Absolutely not!" She shook her head vigorously. "I don't want him talking you out of this. I'm stepping in and being the friend that you need. I'm making this decision for you, Thanatos."
He grinned at her and shrugged his shoulders. "We will have to plan it out. I have to be one hundred percent sure that you’re going to be safe. Or I won't do it." He gave her a look that said he meant it.
Raina couldn't help the smile. She felt giddy and excited for her friend. She almost clapped her hands until she remembered the pain in her head and knew the sound would make it much worse. The apple cider vinegar was working now…. slightly. She got up instead and wrapped her arms about him in a hug.
He held her gently. “I will have to throttle you if anything happens,” he grunted.
“It won’t,” she laughed. She sat back. “So let’s discuss this plan!” She instantly regretted her exclamation, when it echoed in her own head. “Oh,” she groaned at the pain splitting her skull.
He shook his head, and gently lead her back onto the recliner. “When this has passed,” he promised, kissing her forehead, and reaching for a blanket. He tossed it over her. “Sleep,” he whispered.
The rest of the day was spent in quietness. Thanatos allowed her to rest and recuperate. Raina was more than content to snuggle with her fluffies and wait for the pain to recede.
They did discuss his date was when she decided she was well enough and actually ready to eat. They came up with a plan that suited both and Thanatos went to make the call to Arabella.
Raina felt such joy seeing his excitement and seeing his apprehension and knowing this was good for him.
She was going to go to Emily's and spend the evening with her friend. They would do their pizza wine and a movie as usual. More than likely they'd end up watching one or two of the Twilight movies. And she would be perfectly safe there.
"So what do I wear?" Thanatos surprised her by asking. They were sitting at the kitchen table enjoying a cup of coffee.
Raina's mouth dropped open slightly. "You're asking me…the girl in the sweatpants?" She smiled at him and shook her head. "Thanatos, you always look good. I'm sure whatever you choose will be just great."
He looked unsure of himself. A look that did not often crossed his features. "Guess I'm just nervous," he chuckled. "Would you mind helping me?"
She sat her chin to her hand and shrug. "Sure if that's what you want."
She couldn't help but think back to when Nolan had asked her the very same thing. It was quite a different circumstance granted, but most things reminded her of him. She recalled standing in his bedroom rifling through his closet. She could remember the scent and the way that his eyes followed her.
"We can drive over to my place and I’ll give you a fashion show," he teased.
Raina's eyes widened. "Do you realize that in the last six months I've never even seen your place? I wouldn't even know what street it was on."
He lifted his shoulder. "Yeah, there are not a lot of good memories there. I don't like being there myself."
Raina reached over and touched his hand. "Then find a new place. Make new memories. I can help you look." She smiled at him.
"I'd like that. I guess I've just been lazy lately putting everything into watching over you. I don't like the feel of her there.” He took a sip of his coffee. "But for the time being, it's my home. Do you mind coming over? Maybe one good memory will be enough to make me keep it," he laughed.
She gave him a smile and nodded. "I'd love to. Besides, now I'm curious. And we'll find something for you to wear that will drop Arabella's jaw to the ground."
They finish their coffee Raina slipped on her sneakers, refusing to change from her sweats. She made a decision and she would stick with that.
They drove a surprisingly short distance from her house going into an apartment complex that was well known for being pricey. It wasn't as modest as Nolan's old complex but this didn't surprise Raina. She wondered if he too had a ginormous mansion at his disposal.
When he ushered her through the door she had to stop a moment in slight surprise. It was gorgeously done. She turned to look at him and smiled. "You have this professionally decorated didn't you? It’s lovely!"
Thanatos shook his head and grimaced. "Elenora," was all he said.
Raina immediately regretted her complement. She wrinkled her face. "Well, the she devil does have a bit of taste I'm thinking." She shrugged. "She did choose you… and then Nolan." She walked further into the living room. "It doesn't change the fact that she's a witch."
Thanatos chuckled in complete agreement. He threw his keys on the table beside the door. "Make yourself comfortable."
She laid her coat over the back of a chair and sat down on the couch tucking her feet underneath her. "So let's get this fashion show started," she prodded. She knew this wasn't necessary. Thanatos knew how to dress, but he was nervous and she would appease his nerves by playing along.
He gave a nod and went for his room.
Raina let her eyes travel the well decorated living room and she hated that she loved it so much. "Come on Mr. Clay," she called out. "We only have a few hours before both of our dates."
He emerged moments later looking, as she had expected, stunning. The dark suit was well cut and laid perfectly against his shoulders. He did a slight turn for her, smiling.
"Well you look gorgeous." She tilted her head at him. "Where exactly are you taking her? That will help me determine whether this is appropriate or not."
He swiped at some imaginary lint on his shoulder. "I thought the place I took you would be perfect."
Raina made a face. "It was nice. But at the time you were trying to seduce me. Are you trying to seduce Arabella?"
He lifted his eyebrow. "What else would I be doing?"
Raina groaned. "Don't be stereotypical. Please, try to be something other than the green eyed devil that I know. He can be charming but this is not the time. And I think you respect Arabella too much to try the old way."
Thanatos frowned. "It's the only way I know."
Raina shook her head. "That's not true. You are so much more different than you were that day. The way you treat me… Thanatos, you should treat Arabella that way. Be her friend first and see where that goes. You have a lifetime," she laughed.
He crossed his arms. "Okay smarty-pants, where should I take her?"
Raina bit her lip and then reached for her phone. She held her hand up when he started to protest. She lifted the phone to her ear when she dialed. "Melinda?"
Thanatos looked mortified.
"Yes, I was calling because I've come across a bit of a dilemma. You see, my friend Thanatos is taking your sister-in-law out and I’m trying to help him with ideas. What does Arabella like?"
Raina smiled into the phone. "That's perfect!" She looked up at Thanatos. "Hold on a minute Melinda.” She lifted a brow to him. “You didn't tell Arabella about the first idea did you?"
He shook his head. "No, I told her I'd call her and let her know how she should dress."
Raina rolled her eyes. "She's probably freaking out right now, Thanatos! A girl needs to know beforehand so she can prepare…primp…be perfection by the time you arrive. You can't give her twenty minutes and then show up at her door." She laughed into the phone at something Melinda said.
Thanatos looked on nervously. He could feel sweat gathering on his forehead and on the back of his neck. He never felt so out of sorts when it came to women. He always assumed he knew what he was doing.
"I'll keep you up-to-date Mindy. Thank you so much for the suggestion." She ended the call and her blue eyes danced up at him.
"What?" His green eyes looked a bit tortured.
"Well, as for the outfit you have on now? Yeah it's a little too dressy. Arabella isn't a dressing up type according to Melinda. Her ideal date? She's more of a fast food… night at the movies type of a girl."
"Can you elaborate?"
Raina nodded. "You're going to check the movie listings and you’re going to find the newest romance that's out there. You're going to preorder the tickets and you're going to ditch the suit."
He looked confused. "So where do we eat? Where am I making reservations?"
Raina laughed at this. "Arabella is not Elenora, Thanatos. She doesn't need reservations or fancy suits or nights out on the town. You're going to pick her up and ask her what her favorite fast food restaurant is…simple as that. Melinda said that fancy restaurants make her uncomfortable."
Thanatos frowned. "Simple as that?"
"Yes. Now go on back to your room and put on some hot jeans and a casual shirt that shows off those great shoulders." She smiled triumphantly at the surprise in his eyes. "Aren't you glad you have me?"
He chuckled and gave a nod. "Yes, quite."
Later that evening they pulled into Emily and Brad's driveway. Raina turned to her nervous friend and smiled. She took his hand in hers and squeezed.
He swallowed nervously and tried to attempt his signature smirk.
She didn't buy the show of bravado.
"You'll be okay," she whispered. "I promise you. Just be your charming self."
He looked unsure and squeezed her fingers back.
"Just remember, you are there to be her friend first and foremost. You don't have to be what Elenora has told you all this time you have to be. Be who you are with me and Arabella will love you."
He smiled and lifted her hand to his mouth setting a kiss there. "I wish I could take you with me. You could sit on my shoulder and tell me what to say, and what to do, and when to shut my mouth." He smiled. "I've never felt this nervous. I know how to seduce. This is my first time with the wooing."
Raina leaned over and gave him a quick hug. "You'll do just fine. Have fun and don't worry about me."
He patted the front pocket of his coat and gave her a pointed glance. "I'll have my phone on at all times. Arabella understands that first and foremost I am a protector. You call me if anything odd happens. I'll be here straightaway. The movie starts at eight. I should be back here to pick you up around ten thirty."
Raina rolled her eyes. "Don't rush through the date just for me. If need be, Brad can take me home. I don’t know why you didn’t let me drive myself!”
