Oracle Rising (27 page)

Pulling away, he ran the pads of his thumbs over her lower lip as it quivered. “Be my wife, Avalon. Live on the edge with me. Let me in the cage with you.”

“Yes, Nathaniel. I’ll marry you.”

He grinned as the tears began slipping down her cheeks and onto his wrists. “I'm sorry I waited. I’m sorry I planned it to death. I want you to always be free. Maybe if I’m lucky, you’ll let me be by your side.”

“You’re the only man I want, Nathaniel. From that first dream, I knew.”

He pulled her to her feet, ignoring everyone around them. You only got to live this moment once, and here it was.

He was going to make sure she enjoyed it.

Pulling her against his body, he whispered softly in her ear. “We’re going to have a big wedding. You’re going to have whatever you want. I never want you to settle because you don’t think you’re worthy, Avalon. You are more important than anything in this world.”

“Oh, Nathaniel.”

“Let’s go back to the cabin. We should celebrate some more. We have to pick out a ring.
TOGETHER
.”

She never wanted to let go, and he must have known it. Instead of making her walk, Nate swept her off her feet.

Literally.

Then he carried her back to the Hummer, grinning wickedly.

There was something to say about spontaneity.

He liked it.

A lot.

       
                
* * *
  O R A C L E   * * *

Juliett’s Cabin

Jagger completed all the work that Nate had asked him to handle. He was just wrapping it up when there was an incoming call.

“Yo, Director Hot Stuff,” he said. “What’s shakin’?”

“Actually, it’s Hot Stuff’s husband, Director Homicidal Spouse,” Ethan stated. “Not only is there one, but unluckily for you, there are two.”

Jagger sat up fast. “Uh, I’m so sorry, Director. I was only…I didn't mean… I thought it was your wife.” He realized how bad that sounded.

Shit!

Ethan didn't really mind. He was well aware that his woman was sexy. He thought the same thing each and every day. Honestly, he couldn’t fault the man.

“What can I do for you, Director?”

“Elizabeth asked me to call and check on the team. How are things going?”

Jagger, while willing to rile up Elizabeth, was well aware that the boss man wasn’t to be tested. Ethan Blackhawk was the big man who meant business. So, like a good soldier, he broke it all down for him.

Ethan listened to the Marine tell him about the victims. He was proud of this little team. While on paper they should work, he knew that there were difficulties on the horizon.

They threw together a couple Feds, some Marines, and Oracle. That screamed mess, but they appeared to have their first case handled.

“Did you contact Doctor Gaines for a profile yet?”

“I left a message for her, but she was in the middle of something for Suzie, and she told me she’d get back to me.”

“Well, I’m going to contact her. I want to do this profile.”

The Marine said nothing.

The silence was telling.

Ethan laughed. “Son, are you grimacing at the phone?”

“Uh, no, sir! I just didn't expect you to do the profile. It caught me off guard.”

“I do quite a few profiles a week. It’s kind of my thing,” Ethan offered, grinning himself. “You don’t think I can handle it?”

Jagger didn't know much about the man. He only knew Ethan Blackhawk ran the second largest FBI hub with an iron fist. He didn't seem like the kind of man who profiled in his down time.

“Are you sure you’ll have time? Nate really needs this done, and soon.”

“I’ll start working on it right after I tell Doctor Gaines to pass it off to me.”

Jagger still didn't say anything.

Ethan was amused.

“Tell Director Carter he’ll have his profile by tomorrow—if I can remember how to get to my office. I seem to be getting old. I don’t know if I can…”

“Point taken, sir.”

Ethan hung up, still laughing.

Jagger suspected they were in trouble—and not the fun kind. In his experience, whenever the upper brass got involved in something, the shit always hit the fan.

ALWAYS.

As he was sitting there, he heard the front door open. Glancing over, he saw something that did his heart good. Avalon was laughing as Nate carried her into the cabin.

“Wow! Someone had a good time getting ice cream,” he stated.

“We did,” Avalon answered. “Nathaniel asked me to marry him.”

Jagger grinned, mouthing
‘good one’
to the man.

“Did he now? He’s a lucky man to have snagged Avalon Miller from the dating pool,” Jagger stated. “Here, I was going to ask you later when the old man went to bed. Darn it.”

She giggled.

He pointed at him.

“I know how lucky I am,” Nate said, “and since I’m in a damn good mood, I’m going to ignore what you just said until tomorrow, when you wake up bald.”

Jagger snorted.

Avalon was gently lowered to her feet. Once they were on the ground, she focused in the direction of the Marine. “Jagger, can I ask you something?”

He stood. “Sure thing, kiddo. What’s up?”

“When we get married, will you walk me down the aisle? It only seems fitting. I’ve put my life in your hands so many times, that I believe you’re part of my family.”

Nate watched the man’s face soften. He went from tough Marine to mushy male in under three seconds.

“I’d love to do that, Avalon. I got to walk my sister down the aisle just last month. It would be a pleasure to give you away.”

She moved toward him and did something he didn't expect. Avalon hugged him. She placed her arms around his waist and squeezed. “Thank you, Jagger. Thank you for all you did. I know you talked to Nathaniel about this. I love you,” she whispered so only he could hear.

He dropped a kiss to the top of her head. “You’re more than welcome. You two should go celebrate. Just keep it down. I don’t want to come knock on the door when you wake me up.”

Avalon moved back toward her fiancé and giggled.

Nate grinned. “How did things go here? Did you get a hold of my sister?”

“Uh, about that.”

“What?”

“Blackhawk called.”

“Which one?” Nate asked. While both scared him stupid, one usually meant more trouble than the other. Mentally, he crossed his fingers.

“Ethan.”

“Oh, what did he want?” It was his lucky night. He avoided Elizabeth and his girl was going to marry him.

Jagger started laughing.

“What?” he asked.

It was hard to concentrate. Avalon was rubbing against his body, and he couldn’t wait to get her into their room. He had a little surprise for her. Their date was only just beginning.

“He wanted to check in but now he wants to profile our case.”

Nate stared at him. “Really? Wow.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. I hope this doesn’t turn out to be a hot mess.”

Nate stared at him. “Wait, why would it?”

“The boss is putting his fingers into the pie. In my experience…”

He was shut down. “You don’t get it. If you need a profile, you pray its Ethan Blackhawk. The man can turn shit to gold in a case. Police agencies around the world contract him to do profiles.”

“Really?”

Nate laughed. “Yeah, really. He contracts himself out for private investigations. I’ve had him do a couple for me in the past. They are amazing.”

Jagger grinned. “Well, then you owe me. I got you Ethan Blackhawk.”

Nate and Avalon headed toward their room. He was laughing. “Yeah, you keep thinking that.”

Jagger kicked back on the couch to wait for Juliett to return from her date. He was pretty proud of himself. This Fed thing wasn’t as hard as it seemed. Then again, he’d been on two top secret teams.

This was a cake walk.

       
                
* * *
  O R A C L E   * * *

Juliett had the most amazing time of her life.

Dinner with Sheriff Rhett Longfellow was perfect. The man stayed sitting beside her as they shared pizza and some laughter.

When he asked her personal questions about her job and life, she wasn’t afraid to answer them.

For the first time in her life, she was at ease with someone of the opposite sex.

He wasn’t anything like what he seemed at first. When she saw him grab Avalon outside her rental cabin, she was scared by his large size and larger than life personality. Now she realized that it was only him doing his job.

Off the clock, the real man was gentle, sweet, and kind.

When he said he was shy, she believed it. Juliett could see it in everything he did. When he’d blush, she found it endearing.

Plus, he was a true gentleman.

Whoever raised him from a boy to a man had done a damn good job. Rhett was amazing.

It didn't hurt that she was attracted to him. Juliett found herself watching everything he did. She couldn’t help it. There was something about him that offered her peace.

He was so calming, that she never wanted their date to end. In fact, it made her sad that it was getting late. Soon, he’d be dropping her off at her cabin.

“Well?” he asked.

Juliett glanced over. “Well what?”

“Did you enjoy the pizza? Was I right when I said it was the best you’d ever have?”

It was the best.

Only she couldn’t remember what it tasted like. She was too focused on him. The company had made the difference.

“It was really good.”

“I think it was all because of you,” he said, pulling into her driveway.

When she went to get out, he stopped her. His hand touched her arm, and it sent shivers down her spine. Those big hands would be amazing all over her body.

Now she blushed.

“Let me help you,” he said.

Her heart flipped.

Yes, this was a gentleman. They were few and far between in her life—hell—in the world.

As he opened the door to the passenger side of the truck, he offered her his hand. “Thank you for joining me. This was the best date I’ve ever had in my entire life.”

She wanted to leap at him. There was something so calming in his blue eyes. Even in the darkness of the night, she could see the gentleness there.

When she hopped down, Juliett stared up and into his eyes. It was a good thing she was as tall as she was, or they’d look silly together.

“I had a really good time. I’ve never had a date quite like this.”

“I hope that’s a good thing,” he teased.

“It’s a very good thing,” Juliett admitted.

He held her hand as he walked her to the porch. “Here you go, ma’am. Safe and sound, just like I promised.”

Juliett moved onto the first step so they’d be face to face. She was wondering if he was going to kiss her. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like.

Would he be gentle?

Wild?

Filled with passion?

The anticipation was killing her.

“I guess this is goodnight,” he said, trying to figure out how to prolong the evening. He didn't want to leave, but he didn't want to treat her like she wasn’t a lady. Juliett Deveraux was special, and he knew it.

He could feel it inside.

“I guess it is.”

“Can I kiss you goodnight?” he asked. “Or would that be forward of me?”

Her heart swooned.

There was something to be said about good ol’ southern boys with manners. The sheriff had them.

“I think I’d like that.”

He grinned.

Leaning forward, he found her mouth with his. The second their lips touched, magic happened.

For her.

For him.

Life exploded around Juliett. Gently, she put her arms over his shoulder as the lip lock became something more than a goodnight kiss.

It was fueled by passion.