Fallen from Grace [Part Two of the Thicker than Blood Series] (4 page)

“Wandered away from the trail?”

At that moment, I realized what was so familiar about him... it was his eyes.  They were the strange caramel color as Dr. Amante's.  My hair was suddenly standing on end.  What was the connection between the two men?

“Better view from this point than the peak,” I stated, trying to act as calm as possible.  The last thing I wanted was for him to know I was uneasy with his presence.

The stranger nodded.  “I bet you're wondering if I followed you?”

I hesitated before responding, watching his movements carefully.  “Yes.”

An evil smile twisted his lips.  “Smart lady.”

Fear instantly pulsed through my veins.  My grip on the walking stick tightened, causing my knuckles to turn white.  “Why?” I asked hesitantly.

Caramel eyes roamed over me for a fraction of a second and the man tilted his head, looking amused.  “You really don't know do you?”

“Know what?”

I gasped as I watched the man's eyes go from the orange-brown to black, his smile spreading further.  “Oh, how fun.”  He took a step closer to me.

“Stay away from me...” I said, glancing around in an attempt to find an escape.

“There's no where to run, Kenna.”

Oh, shit.
  How did he know my name?  What did he want with me?  I backed to the edge as close as I could and briefly wondered if I should try to climb down the cliff.

I lifted my walking stick into the air and held it like a bat.  “Don't come any closer.”  I wondered if I could take the man.  He wasn't that much larger than I was and I certainly was much... sturdier than he.  Was this really happening?

He paused, but only to laugh at me.  “Nothing can help -”

“Is this man bothering you?” a new voice interrupted... a voice I knew.  Jumping at his sudden appearance, my heart flipped as I watched Dr. Amante step between me and the stranger.

“Yes!” I said, bringing my hand up to my chest as if to calm the thundering behind my ribs.

Around Amante, I could see the stranger's expression change... to fear. 
Fear? 
I couldn’t see Amante's face.

“I – I didn't know that you were here,” the stranger stammered, his body contracted into a cower. 
They knew each other?

“I am.  Leave this mountain before I toss you off.”  Amante's tone was low and full of controlled rage.

What was going on here?  The stranger nodded and began shrinking back into the woods.

“Don't let me catch you around her again or we will have... problems.”  This time, it wasn't a speaking voice coming from him, but a growl – it echoed off the nearby trees and rocks.

“Of course, never again,” he said and vanished into the trees.

I stood there with my mouth open.  What did I just witness?  Could my life get any stranger?  “I – uh,” I tried to speak but my sentences were colliding in my mind.

Dr. Amante turned towards me, his caramel-eyes soft and full of concern.  “Are you alright?”

I stared, feeling myself nod.  “Do – do you know him?”

His eyebrows came together, a storm raged behind his eyes as if he wasn't sure what he wanted to tell me.  “Yes,” he said and his gaze lightened but he offered nothing more.

Anger started to rise, I could feel it's heat sting my face.  He wasn't going to tell me shit.  “How did you find me?”  I demanded, placing my hands on my hips.

“I was out for a walk and saw you from the vantage point over there.”

My eyes followed the direction of his hand and my jaw clenched.  There was no way he could see me from there.  W
hat the fuck!
  Something snapped inside of me.  I was tired of this mysterious bullshit!  “Okay, enough of this.  What the hell is going on, Amante?  What's with you disappearing on me all of the time and how do you know that guy?” 

His eyes studied me for a moment before he held out his hand.  “Please come away from the ledge.”

My eyes narrowed.  I felt that I was going to spit fire at any moment.  “I'm not moving one fucking inch until you tell me what the hell is going on.”  I needed answers.

That's when I saw it... he almost smiled.  “I will answer all of your questions tomorrow and not before.  Please come -”

I cut him off.  “No!  I've been spinning my wheels for too long and I'm as confused as hell!  I deserve to know what's going on.  I want answers
now
, dammit!”

This time, he did smile.  It wasn't in arrogance or any other negative way... it was kind and warm... almost like he was...
proud
?  “I promise I will answer all of your questions tomorrow.  Please come down.”  His hand still stretched out in my direction.

Tomorrow.  It was always tomorrow, wasn't it?
  I sighed.  The hesitation I felt was slowly eroding in light of his tenderness.  I rolled my eyes.  “Alright, fine!  You'd better tell me tomorrow, Amante, or there will be hell to pay.”  My fingers found his and he gently pulled me away from the cliff's edge.

“Please call me Alex... and there's always hell to pay.”  He smiled.

“Is there?”

“For me, yes.”

I smiled in spite of myself, standing just two feet from him.  I wasn't sure what to say now.  I was grateful for his assistance, but I still had too many questions.  When he squeezed my hand, I realized we were still touching.

“Have dinner with me.”

As if on cue, my stomach rumbled.  Having brought only a canteen of water with me, I was damned near starving.  I eyed him none-the-less.  “Tonight?”

His caramel eyes sparkled as he nodded.  “Say you will.”

I considered him for a moment.  Every night I had seen him before left me with tons of questions... why would I dream to think dining with him would be any different?  He promised me answers to my questions tomorrow... “Let's have dinner tomorrow.”

He tilted his head slightly and smiled.  “Tonight.  I'll be a perfect gentleman.”

“Why don't I believe that?” I laughed.

He looked at me with sincerity.  “Have dinner with me, Kenna.”

There was just something about him... something that, in spite of it all, made me feel comfortable.  I sighed.  “Fine,” I heard myself say.

Alex beamed and brushed a soft, lingering kiss on my cheek.  “Let us go back down then, shall we?”

I could only nod, bringing my hand to feel the heat on my face where Alex's lips had been a second earlier. 
What was I getting myself into?

It took us close to two hours of hiking and pleasant small talk to make it to the trail head.  In two hours, I learned little about him.  He was going to be surprised with the bombardment of questions I had for him tomorrow, I had a list a mile long and it was constantly growing.  We both found our vehicles.  His was a sleek, black Range Rover. 
Figures.

“I'll pick you up in an hour?”

I opened the door to my car and looked over the roof to him.  “Okay.  You want my address?”

Alex smiled, exposing his beautiful teeth.  “I know where you live, Kenna.”

Oh did he?
  My eyes narrowed.  “Answers tomorrow, mister.  I'd better get them.”

His smile grew.  “Of course.  I promised you, didn't I?”

“A promise from a doctor means nothing to a nurse,” I said, smiling back.  “We are only interested in results.”

His laugh was like a deep melody that didn’t last near long enough.  “And you will have them.”

I stared at the enchanting man for a few moments longer.  “See you in a bit,” I said and slid into my car, putting on my seat belt.  As my foot found the brake and clutch, I had to catch my breath.
I was going on a date with Alex Amante!
  I led the car smoothly onto the road with much concentration.  My foot wanted to smash on the gas to get home.  Only when I was a good mile away did I let the hammer fall.  I was nervous, excited, anxious, scared and thrilled all in one.

When I got home, I was in a race against time.  I had to shower, dry and style my hair, apply some make-up and dress presentably in just...
thirty minutes
?  I swore to myself in looking at the clock.  Everything was a blur around me.  I don't know how I managed to dry and curl my hair in the time I had, let alone do everything else, but I did.  I stood in the bathroom looking at my reflection with just three minutes to spare.  I had to catch my breath.  I applied just enough make-up for that smokey look, which complemented my bright blue top and grey khakis.  Overall, not bad.  I had some self-depreciating thoughts come to my head about my size, but I pushed them away.  Alex asked me to dinner when I was in a t-shirt, shorts and had my hair in a pony-tail.  I was 100% better now than I was then... he was sure to like the way I looked.

My doorbell rang exactly one hour later from the time we left the trail head.  I grabbed my purse, took a deep breath and opened the door.  A small gasp escaped my lips before they could smile at the handsome man that greeted me.  Alex looked... amazing.  He wore dark jeans paired with a black button-up and some lush, masculine cologne.

His eyes darted over me before they met mine.  I knew that look he held in his eyes... hunger.  “You are ravishing,” he said softly.

“Thank you.  So are you,” I said and then coughed nervously.  “Handsome, I mean.”

Alex didn't notice my falter as he continued to stare down at me with lust.  His irises darkened around the edges and I knew it was only a matter of time before they went black.

“Gentleman?” I whispered.  I knew he wanted me, and I certainly wanted him... but they changing color thing was intimidating if not a little frightening.

He blinked hard and smiled; the black faded from the caramel.  “Sorry,” Alex chuckled softly.  “Shall we go, my lady?”  He held out his arm.

I hesitated.  “When... when your eyes do that...,” I started, not knowing how to finish my thought.

Alex looked at me thoughtfully and then dropped his gaze.  “When they change.”

I nodded.  Would he tell me about that at least?  “When they do that, it's...”

“Unnerving,” he offered softly.  “I normally have better control over it but I can't seem to manage it when I'm around you.”  Alex looked back up at me and smiled.  “I'm sure you haven't noticed.”

I chuckled lightly.  “Why do they do that?”

Alex turned to watch a car drive passed my house.  “They change when I want something badly.”

I stared, my lips parting slightly.  He meant me.  Alex wanted me badly.  I prayed my knees would hold out.

He saw the look on my face and laughed.  “You wanted me to be honest with you.”  He took a step closer and took my hand in his.  Warmth from his grasp spread up my arm.  “Do you trust me?”

What?  What kind of question was that?  I tried to pull my hand away, but he wouldn't let go.  I smiled as confidently as I could.  “I don't know you.”

Alex smiled.  “And that's why you are joining me for dinner... if we can ever get off of your front step.”  He teased, pulling me towards him gently.

“Right.”  I laughed and followed him out to the Range Rover.  He opened the door for me and waited until I was seated and belted in before he closed the door.

We drove to a classy Mexican place that opened recently.  “I hope you like margaritas because they have some of the best I've had,” he said as he held the restaurant door for me.