Oracle Rising (35 page)

She was nervous.

It wasn’t easy to just show up at some man’s house. It scared the hell out of her. She knew what Avalon had said, but still…this was a gamble, and not like her.

Juliett was shy, reserved, and easily intimidated. Slipping out a window, hopping a cab, and showing up wasn’t something she’d normally do. It was something a teenager would do.

She had to admit, it felt damn good.

As she knocked, her heart pounded in her chest. There were the telltale signs of approaching footsteps, the sound of locks clicking open, and then the door swinging in.

The man before her looked like hell. He was holding a beer in one hand, and looked like he’d lost his best friend.

Juliett tried to focus on that, and not the fact that he was barefoot, and his shirt was open.

Holy shit!

The sheriff was sexy.

It took everything she had not to jump up, wrap her legs around his waist and kiss him.

She calmed her breathing.

“Hello, Rhett. Fancy meeting you here.”

He was shocked.

No, he was horrified.

“Juliett, what are you doing on my porch?” he asked, nearly dropping his beer bottle. She shouldn’t be there. Her life was in danger, and he was likely the cause.

“You asked me over for dinner, so here I am.” She’d never been so brash in all her life. She only prayed he wouldn’t close the door in her face, or drive her back like some runaway child.

She prayed Avalon had been right.

“I sent you a note.”

“Yeah, and it was pretty shitty,” she stated. “In the real world, if you’re not interested in a girl, you tell her to her face or you call her. While a romantic gesture, notes like that are more about poems or thank you’s for really great sex. Not a way to dump someone.”

His body tightened at the word ‘sex’. He only wished that option was still on the table. In fact, he’d been sitting on his couch, trying to not think about her, but it wasn’t easy. He wanted to touch her. He longed to take her to bed.

Then she showed up.

He hoped he wasn’t passed out from the beer on the couch. When he woke, this was going to be one hell of a disappointment.

“About that...”

“I know why you did it, Rhett. I get it, but there’s something you should know.”

“What?”

“I care about you. If being near you is going to get me hurt, then I’d rather risk it. Being away from you hurts just as much.”

He was shocked. “Juliett.”

“Can I come in? Normally, you’re very polite. Now you’re making me stand out here.”

He stepped back. “Yes! I’m sorry. I just…I’m not…Shit! I mean sorry. I shouldn’t curse in front of a lady. God!”

She started laughing.

The sheriff being flustered was proof of one thing. Avalon was right.

He put his beer down to take her light jacket. As he hung it up, he could pick up her scent. It made him crazy. He prayed he had enough control not to sniff it.

She’d think he was insane.

When he turned, she didn't hesitate. Instead, she hugged him.

“What you tried to do was incredibly sweet, noble, and chivalrous. It was also stupid. Don’t do it again. This time I’m not angry, but next time you may not get a second chance.”

His hand went to her back, and he didn't know what to do. It was clear she knew he was aroused, since she was pressed to his body. When her cheek touched his bare chest, his body took over, proving his control was nothing more than a joke.

“I’m sorry, Juliett. I didn't want to risk you.”

She loved being against him. His scent offered so much peace, and the scratchy kiss of his chest hair made her want to do cartwheels—right before she molested the man.

“It’s okay, Rhett. I’m not mad.”

She pulled away and smiled up at him. She could see the nerves in his eyes. She hated that he didn't know how amazing he was. Most men wouldn’t have thought twice about ditching their date.

He was a gentleman.

She fell even harder.

“So, are we still having our date?”

He didn't know what to say. His tongue, and body, was tied in knots.

“Rhett?”

“Would you like a beer? I didn't know you were coming, so I don’t have wine.”

He headed into his living room.

“Your home is gorgeous,” she said, looking around. It reminded her of some hunting lodge in the middle of the mountains. “I love all the wood. It’s stunning.”

“I built it myself,” he said, heading into the kitchen. When he turned around, he couldn’t believe she was there. Thank God he cleaned up last night.

Her opinion mattered.

“That’s amazing, Rhett. You did a great job. You must be excellent with your hands.” She let it hang between them, meaning more than his carpentry skills.

She rattled his nerve.

“I built it for my…” He stopped.

She took the beer from his fingers. He was worried again. It was clearly written across his features. “Who?” she asked.

“We have to talk. Before we have dinner, or have this date, there’s something you should know.”

She headed toward the couch. When she patted it, he looked troubled.

“What are you afraid of?” she asked.

“That what I’m going to tell you will make you run from here screaming in terror.”

“You collect dolls?”

“What? Wait, why would you ask that?” he said.

“Well, that would freak me out.”

He wasn’t sure if she was kidding. She was staring serenely at him, her brown eyes never leaving his face.

“You like to dress up like a clown in your spare time?”

Rhett swore she smiled.

“Uh, no.”

“Well, those are really the two things that will make me rethink being here. Avalon told me you’re not the killer, so…unless you like wearing women’s panties, and you want mine for that reason, we’re probably good.”

He relaxed.

This woman was like none he’d ever met before. She wasn’t like his ex. She was genuine, sweet, and very special.

“I was married before.”

“Are you still legally married to her? You can add that to the list of things that will make me walk out of here.”

“Hell no! I divorced her a few years ago.”

“She’s not in your closet in a cage, is she?”

He ran his hands through his hair. “Why does everyone think I’m a serial killer?”

She laughed. “A yes or no will suffice.”

He saw she was teasing him. “No, she’s in Miami sleeping with half the city.”

“Okay, so you’re divorced. I’m okay with that.” Juliett tried to get him to smile.

“I just don’t want to see you hurt.”

“I told you. Avalon told me what happened. You won’t hurt me, Rhett.”

“I’m a bad deal.”

Oh, he was definitely wounded.

“What did she do to you, Rhett? Your heart is covered in scars. I can feel them from here.” Her fingers brushed his arm and she used her gift of being empathic to offer him some peace.

“Really?”

“Figuratively,” she offered.

He closed his eyes, trying to get his thoughts together. “She was my high school sweetheart. I really thought she loved me. Only, she didn't. I found out a few years into the marriage that she cheated on me. I let it go, hoping she’d change. She didn’t—once a cheater, always a cheater.”

“Okay, she was a serial fornicator. That’s never good.”

“Since then, I’m terrified to put it out there. I don’t think I can handle my heart getting destroyed like that again. I really believed we were okay. It never occurred to me that she hated me that much.”

“I understand. I’ve been there. Being a freak does that to you.”

“Please don’t call yourself that. You’re not a freak. You’re a wonderful woman. I could tell the second I met you.”

She waited.

He went for it. “I really like you. I don’t mean in a friendship kind of way. I mean it in an adult, sleeping together, and having a relationship kind of way.”

Her heart skipped in her chest. Those were words she never thought she’d hear from anyone in her life. Juliett didn't believe she would ever be worthy.

“You’re my checklist,” he offered.

She didn't know what he was talking about. “What does that mean?”

“I’m going to show you something, and I think it’ll help you understand. I pray it won’t scare the shit out of you. I’m never this forward with women. This is the first time it’s felt right.”

“I’m relatively calm. I think I can handle it.”

When he disappeared up the stairs, she looked around. The place was void of any kind of personal things. The man was living his life, locked in his past. She could see it.

There were no photos.

There was his gun on the coffee table, and two empty beer bottles.

She heard him coming back, so she focused on him. In his hand, there was a blue book.

“When I got divorced, I was lost in this mire of self-hate. I blamed myself for not seeing it coming. I got shitfaced drunk, and I made a list. It was all the characteristics a woman would need to have in order to ever be with me again.”

“Okay, that’s not crazy.”

“I couldn’t trust my heart. It led me astray. So, by making this list, I had a truthful guideline as to the kind of woman I wanted to be with. I’ve used it all these years to find the perfect woman.”

She was astounded by his sensitive side. It was so sexy. She loved that he was sharing all of this with her. This was more than she’d ever gotten from any other man.

It was genuine honesty.

That was a treasure.

“Can I see it?”

Rhett handed it to her. “Don’t laugh, please.”

She’d never do that. “You can trust me.”

He believed her. For the first time, he did.

Opening the book, she found the list on the first page. It was obvious that he started journaling after his divorce. It was quite a few years ago, nearly to the date.

Sweet     Kind   Compassionate   Beautiful   Honest

Gentle    Loving Truthful   Genuine  Smart  Understanding

She glanced up. “It’s a good list. Those are important things to have in a partner. I have a list in my head that’s similar, but handsome is on there.”

He knew this was going to be the defining moment. “Turn to the last page, Juliett.”

She did what he asked. It was dated the previous night and it was a relatively longer entry.

‘
I found her. After ten years of being alone, she walked into my life. I can’t believe I’ve actually found a woman who fits all the things I’ve needed to heal my soul. It was like the universe finally forgave me for being a fool, and delivered a miraculous gift.

I’m blessed.

I’m the luckiest man alive.

Now comes the hard part. I need to find a way to make her see me. I don’t want her to look at me like I’m a waste of her time, or some hick sheriff. I want Juliett to see the real me. I need her to know that she’s the best woman I’ve ever met in my entire life. I’d do anything for her.

After years of being alone, I have a second chance. I can only hope she feels something for me. I already feel so much for her. I think I found someone I can love again. I already know she’ll never betray me. I can see it in her beautiful brown eyes. I know I don’t have much to offer her, but I’m willing to share all I have. I’m finally willing to risk it all.

It’s a gamble, but I trust her.

I know I’m simple. Maybe too simple, and she deserves more, but I have to believe she came here for a reason. I have to hope that I’m not too flawed to be worthy of this moment.

I think I’m in love, and I don’t know if I can tell her that.’

She glanced up. “Wow.”

He began flushing red. He’d bared his heart and soul, and it was now in her hands.

Juliett watched his big hands clench and unclench with nerves. He’d been honest, and he was waiting for the repercussions. Rhett was scared.

“I’m sorry if that made you feel uncomfortable. I just wanted to be open and honest from the start. I hate lies. They destroy everything.”

She couldn’t believe he had such a poet’s heart. It was an absolutely beautiful thing.

It was amazing.

“You’re my entire checklist too,” she admitted. She never thought she’d admit that on the second date, but she had to share it with him.

He needed to know.

“Am I?” he asked.

“Yes.”

Slowly, he leaned forward, tentatively bringing his mouth to hers. He honestly expected her to rebuke him. Instead, she wanted him too.