Oracle Rising (36 page)

This day was unbelievable.

Juliett let her hand slide into his hair, holding his mouth to hers. Gently, he kissed her, sharing his adoration.

It made her heart skip.

When he broke the kiss, he was smiling. “So, maybe we can start our date? I promised you dinner, and I intend to deliver.”

She grinned. “I think I’d love that, Rhett.”

His heart skipped at the word.

“I’d love it too. I love everything about you, Juliett. You’re the perfect woman for me.”

She wanted to shout in joy.

Avalon had been right.

It looked like her life was finally heading in the right direction.

It was about damn time.

Chapter SEVENTEEN

Juliett’s Cabin

It appeared they weren’t out of the woods yet. Nate got the text from Jagger, and he knew that Avalon had to be pissed. It was only a matter of time before she told him off.

The earlier tirade would be nothing, and he knew it.

When she entered the room, she looked angry.

“Nathaniel, may I speak to you?” she asked.

“Sure,” he said, not moving.

“I meant in our room. This is something we need to handle privately.”

That didn't bode well for him, and he knew it.

Getting up, he pointed at the files. “Keep searching. We have to be missing something,” he told his team.

Crossing the room, Nate noticed she didn't wait for him. Normally, Avalon would tuck herself against his body, and let him lead her.

Apparently, the tide was changing.

Nate couldn’t help but be worried. He didn't want her angry at him, and he didn't want her to call off the wedding. He was genuinely scared at what was coming.

Let’s face it.

He wasn’t boyfriend or fiancé material. This was all new to him, and he was trying to navigate it without a clue. All he knew was he loved her more than his own life, but apparently that wasn’t enough to make this work. Had it been, they wouldn’t be having a private conversation.

Inside the room, she was sitting on the bed. Well, at least she wasn’t pacing.

He might just have a chance.

“I’m disappointed, Nate.”

He knew it was bad. She called him ‘Nate’. That wasn’t her name for him. Avalon almost always used his full name. It sounded sexy on her lips, and he loved it.

Yeah, he was screwed, and not in a good way.

“We can’t work like this.”

He stood there, waiting for the ax to drop. He knew he made this mess, but it wasn’t his intention. He was accustomed to running the show, and here he’d ostracized her.

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t know if that’s good enough.”

“You’re going to call off the wedding, aren’t you?” he asked. “You’re working up to telling me that we can’t be together, right?”

She stood. “No. Why would you think that?”

“I blew this. I disrespected you by not letting you be a part of the team. I’m a control freak, and I ripped it right out of your hands and took over.”

“Nathaniel, our relationship is separate from this. I’m sorry if you thought otherwise. Oracle is the job, Avalon is the woman.”

He didn't move.

He couldn’t.

Nate didn't want to upset her. He didn't want her to leave him. He couldn’t imagine his life without her. She completed him on so many levels he never believed mattered, but they did.

“I’m pissed you did what you did, but I’m not your boss. We’re partners. Like you and Luke. I’m supposed to be your other half when we’re working.”

“You are.”

“Was I today?”

He didn't have to think about it. “No. You weren’t. I should have listened, but I’m so used to doing this with Luke. We’ve been a team for a decade. I was his partner when you were just taken by the government, Avi. That’s not easy to shake.”

“I’m not asking you to swap him for me. In the field, he’s your partner. I get that. In here, when I tell you something that’s vital to a case, I’m your partner.”

His body was ramrod stiff.

Avalon could see his aura, and it was tinged with fear. “I need you to believe in me. I may not be able to see, or shoot a gun, but I still am part of this. In fact, I’m the center. I hold us together.”

Earlier, he had thought those exact words.

“I’m sorry I disrespected you.”

“Nathaniel, it’s more than that. You didn't trust me. If we don’t have that, we don’t have anything. You can walk away from this job. I can’t. I am Oracle. I am Avalon. I’m caught in between. I need to know that if I prophesize something, you’ll believe me. I may not be an investigator, or a badass Marine, but I have value on this team too.”

“I understand.”

“I need to address our marriage.”

Nate didn't say a word. He was too afraid to go there. His gut felt like his happiness was dangling precariously by a single thread.

“Are you trying to tell me you don’t want to marry me?” she asked. “All the sudden, we have a disagreement, and you throw our relationship into the mix. Perhaps it’s you who has changed your mind.”

He was appalled. “NO!”

“If you have, I get it. I’m just some twenty-five year old girl who has no experience being a girlfriend or a wife. I most likely will screw it up. If you want out, I understand. I’ll set you free to see you happy.”

He moved closer to her. “Avi. God! No.”

“If you don’t like the woman I am, and you feel that you hastily rushed into it, I get it. I won’t hate you.”

He pulled Avalon against him. “Stop. Please stop. I’ll never love anyone but you. I want to marry you. I’d do it right now. Right here. You have to believe me, Avalon. Please believe me.”

She studied his aura.

There were no lies.

It looked like they’d navigated their first relationship hurdle. While Avalon knew there’d be more, at least they didn't get mean or ugly.

They argued with respect.

“I’m sorry I cursed before.”

He laughed. “I didn't think you had it in you. Honestly, it was kind of hot. It was like watching an angel fall from heaven. You have such a filthy mouth.”

She laughed.

“You are definitely my girl.”

“I love you, Nathaniel,” she whispered, going up on her toes. When their lips met, there was love from her, and relief from him.

“Oh, Avalon,” he whispered, as her mouth tore his control to shreds. “I can’t live without you. I’d die if I couldn’t touch you and hold you in my arms like this.”

She pulled him toward the bed.

“Show me.”

So he did.

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

Sheriff Longfellow’s

Cabin

In the kitchen, Juliett sat at the island watching him work. The man was pretty handy when it came to making dinner. He could cook with the best of them, and she found that incredibly sexy.

When they first headed into that part of his home, she didn't believe he could pull it off. Then again, she’d never had any man cook for her, so this was a new experience all together.

“You look sexy in an apron.”

He glanced up, a flush moving up his neck. “Do I?”

“Yes, you really do. Please tell me some girlfriend didn't teach you how to cook. It’ll ruin the hotness.”

He laughed. “No, I learned when my mom died. She had taught me and my brother the basics, and it stuck with me. With my brother…not so much.”

“Do you only have one?” she asked, watching him stir the sauce in the pot. She was starving, and couldn’t wait until it was time to eat.

“Yeah, he’s a criminal.”

She stared at him. “That really bothers you. I can feel your energy shift when you get pissed. You go from calm to angry really fast.”

“That’s handy, I guess,” he offered. “Being empathic must help you out in so many situations.”

“It does, like how you’re embarrassed to talk about him.”

Rhett laughed. “Well, shit.”

Juliett sipped her beer. “Again, this might be why men run from me. You’ve been warned.”

It didn't scare him. In fact, he liked that there was some unspoken communication between them. It helped.

So, he spilled it.

“Yeah, you’re right. It really does. He did some terrible things in his life. He spent time in jail, and probably should still be there.”

“Where is he now?”

He glanced up. “I have no idea. Ten years ago, he committed a B&E and ‘accidentally’ killed someone. He did eight years for manslaughter and some parole board thought because his father was a cop, he would walk the straight and narrow.”

“Justice is blind.”

“Yeah, it really is,” he admitted. “That doesn’t make me less sexy, does it?” he teased. “I know some women like bad boys. Does it count if it’s in the blood, but skipped my specific gene pool?”

Juliett laughed. “I actually don’t like bad boys. I like smart men who like books. Danger is highly overrated. Look at this mess with the killer.”

“I love books. In fact, that’s my middle name. I’m Rhett ‘Books’ Longfellow.”

She laughed. “Well, someone liked books. Your first name is Rhett, and your last name is Longfellow. It’s probably not a coincidence that you have the heart of a poet.”

He was surprised.

No one ever saw him that way.

“I know I look one way on the outside, but it’s not indicative to who I am.”

“I see you, Rhett.”

“Frankly, Scarlett, I really do give a damn.”

She laughed. “You’re funny too. That’s an important quality to have. If you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re destined for a long miserable life.”

“I agree. I’m a laugh a minute. I get involved in my head, and I become oblivious.”

“Really? What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?” she asked, trying to get to know him.

“Well, I once set off my own house alarm after going outside in my boxers to get the paper. I thought I’d be fine. Who knew I’d get locked out?”

She laughed. “Oh, no.”

“Tell me about you. We know I’m a mess.”

“I don’t think you’re a mess at all. I love the way you’re honest. You don’t find that in men anymore. There’s always an angle.”

He plated up their food, and carried it around the island to where she was sitting. “Do you want to eat here or the dining room?” he asked.

“Here is great. I like it in here. It feels like you. It’s warm and cozy.”

“Does it?” he asked, his heart skipping in his chest. “I just needed a kitchen, and this is what came to mind.”

“I love it.”

“I’m glad, but you still owe me a funny story,” he added, sitting beside her.

She watched him place his napkin in his lap.

Holy shit!

He looked like some big tough man, but underneath it all, he was amazing. Someone had raised this man right.

“I had this date with a guy. We’ll call him asshole, since it’s fitting.”

He grinned. “Okay. Asshole it is.”

“He shows up at my place to pick me up. He comes in, carrying a duffle bag. Of course I ask what’s with the bag, and he proceeds to tell me that he likes to have clothes for the next morning.”

He started laughing. “Oh, that’s bad.”

“Yeah, want to know what’s worse?” she asked.

“Sure.”

“I went out with him anyway. He was one of my better dates.”

“Did you sleep with him?” It took a second, but Rhett realized how inappropriate that was to ask.

Juliett was staring at him.

“Oh my God. I’m sorry, Juliett. I forgot my manners. That was incredibly rude. I swear I know better. If my mother were alive, she’d kick my ass.”

He made her smile.

Reaching over, she took his hand in hers. Gently, she soothed him with her gift. His heart was erratic, and he looked worried that he’d crossed some line.

“It’s okay, Rhett. I’m not offended by you asking. I didn't sleep with him. I’m not upset that you’re curious. You have every right to know.”

“I do? Why?”

“Yes, because I’m going to sleep with you.”

He started choking on his beer. His eyes watered as he stared over at her.

She nonchalantly pounded him on the back.

“Are you serious?” he asked. “That’s not something you should joke around about.”

“Who’s joking? I really am.”

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

He saw her.

She was perfect for what he had in mind. This was a long time coming, and her flaws would be what set her out from the rest.

As the music played, he watched her dance.

She’d look good going up in flames. She’d burn brilliantly, even though she wasn’t worth his time.