Waves of Change (World Above Water, Book 1) (2 page)

He felt a compulsion as he touched her, and he focused on the water on her hand. He didn’t have to think about it; his water reached out using the moisture on her skin and formed the
Enaal
bond between them. With the
Enaal
bond in place, he would be able to sense her whenever she touched water.

There is so much I need to tell you.
Now that she was breathing, his mind turned into a blur of jumbled thoughts and half phrases, and his heart threatened to beat right out of his chest. He couldn’t decide on what he wanted to say as he stared at her.
I guess I could start with hello.

*

Chris watched his friend in complete disbelief. He didn’t miss Daniel’s manipulation of the water in the glasses on the tray, and when he rushed to the side of the woman neither of them knew, he had no idea why. He looked on in surprise as Daniel knelt next to her and held her wrist. He recognized the gesture. A smile spread his lips, and he felt excitement erupt for what this represented for his friend.
He’s found her.

Happiness for his friend took over his thoughts, and he tried to study the woman who would change Daniel’s life forever. He remembered the water on the ground from the spill and focused on it, using the liquid to learn more about her, picking up details invisible to others.

“Get out!”
Daniel’s thoughts were forceful as he used the same water to communicate with him.

He couldn’t stifle his chuckle at his friend’s possessiveness, and he watched the water ripple with slight vibrations under the force of Daniel’s thoughts.
“I was just curious. She’s pretty, by the way.”
He broke the connection and smiled as he saw the water still again. Enki
, he’s almost out of control.
As he leaned back in his chair, Chris continued to watch the show. Daniel never broke eye contact with the woman, another confirmation for his suspicions. He felt his grin widen as he leaned back in his chair.
Wow, he’s got it bad.

*

After what seemed like an eternity, Alicia managed to regain her composure as she looked at the man kneeling next to her. “Thank you.” She tried to offer a smile as she took the napkin from his hand, but she felt like a deer in headlights.
What was that?
Quick dabs to her face and throat took her mind off of the stranger at her side for a moment, but as she glanced at him, one thought forced out all others inside her head.
Oh my God, he’s gorgeous!

Cara grabbed her face and quickly turned it toward her, pulling her from her evaluation. “Li Li, are you okay? Do we need to leave?”

“Give me a minute.” She continued to blot her clothes, and as she rubbed the back of her neck, the waiter returned with towels to assist. “Thank you.”

“No problem. Let me help you.” As the waiter leaned over, she was surprised to see the changed expression on the face of the man at her side. His jaw tensed, and the vein in his forehead began to show. He didn’t speak as he took the towel from the wide-eyed waiter, but she didn’t know how to interpret what she saw.
Did he see him spill the water on me or something?

“Thank you; I’m fine, really.” Alicia felt the heated prickles of embarrassment in her face. She felt like she was under a microscope, and she squirmed in her chair. It was odd to have this strange man’s attention on her, despite how attractive she found him. With a gentle tug, she pulled the towel from his hand and placed it on the table along with the napkin he initially offered.
I probably look like a wreck.

Cara hadn’t stopped fussing over her and reached out to adjust her shirt. She absentmindedly dipped her napkin into Alicia’s cleavage to chase a small trickle of water.

“Cara, please.” The heat in Alicia’s face moved from a small flame to a brush fire as she turned toward her friend, and she covered her chest to stop her progress. She glared at Cara with wide eyes while she tried to cover her cleavage as fast as she could. It took a few seconds, but she watched the realization wash over Cara’s features when her eyes widened.

“Sorry, Li Li.” She whispered the words and sat back in her chair, but the damage had already been done.

With so much heat in her face, neck, and chest, the cool drops and rivulets on her skin warmed. At this point, she couldn’t tell if she was sweating or just wet. When she looked at Bethany, she noticed the flush in her face as well, and she knew it was empathetic. Alicia’s thoughts moved in multiple directions at once, intent on keeping her from making a fool of herself.
Get it together. He was nice enough to offer help. Say something to him!

She turned in her chair to face him and plastered on a smile, hoping against hope to mask her inner conflict. “I’m sorry; I’ve been rude. Hello, and thank you so much for your help; it was very sweet of you. My name is Alicia Lewis, by the way.” She stood, extended her hand, and watched as the tall stranger took it in both of his and held it firmly as he introduced himself.

“You’re welcome. I’m Daniel Winters. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alicia.”

Standing face-to-face with him gave her an opportunity to evaluate him, and her smile grew as she took in his appearance.

The first thing she noticed was his eyes. They were the deepest green she had ever seen. A groomed goatee framed a squared jaw, and his chin had the slightest cleft. His hair was as black as a moonless night, and it was cut short on the sides. His body appeared long and lean beneath his clothes, and as studied him, she felt a smile of appreciation make its way across her lips.

The man was drop-dead gorgeous, and she knew Paula and Vivica would be all over him in no time. She was used to the way those two swarmed over any and all available men in reach. It was their nature. In life’s buffet, Paula and Vivica sampled one of everything on the menu and let the leftovers fall where they may.

She pictured the way the rest of the scenario would play out. She would introduce Cara, Olivia, and Bethany. She’d save Vivica and Paula for last and watch as the two of them vied for his attention. It wouldn’t be long before one of the voracious vixens ended up with him in the back of the building with his pants around his ankles.

For some reason, she felt an unfamiliar disappointment and a slight bit of anger when she pictured this man in their clutches.
You know how it goes, and you don’t have time for this even if he was interested.

She tried to smile wider to hide her blighted hope and turned her head toward the table. “Daniel, these are my friends Bethany, Cara, Olivia, Paula, and Vivica.”

“Nice to meet you, ladies.” Daniel smiled, but he never took his eyes from hers. “Alicia, I know we just met, but if it isn’t too forward, would you like to get together and have coffee sometime, or maybe dinner?”

The sensation of the blood draining from her face was in complete contrast with the rush of warmth throughout the rest of her body. She was tongue-tied for the first time in her life as she watched his face. She replayed his words inside her head to make sure she hadn’t lost her mind.
He’s asking me out?

She fought the urge to ask him if he was serious, and instead, took another look at the raven-haired statue of a man in front of her. Her gaze moved over his body again, and the heat from his warm hands felt amazing. A raised eyebrow from the handsome stranger brought her back to her senses, and she realized she’d been staring at him in silence.
Way to look like a freak, Alicia.
She tried to gather herself, and opened her mouth to speak when her mobile phone began vibrating on the table. “Please excuse me a moment.” When he nodded, she grabbed the device.

She sobered when she saw the extension for the hospital on the small screen and pulled her wallet from her purse as she answered. “Dr. Lewis.” Alicia listened to the person on the other end, and her eyes widened. “How large is this ASD? … Give me an ETA … I’m on my way.” Turning to face Daniel again, she spoke almost as if she was on autopilot, immediately moving into surgeon mode. “I’m sorry, I have to run. Emergency, ASD, you know how it is.” She grabbed her purse and placed a one hundred dollar bill on the table before she ran to her car. She didn’t have time to spare as she headed to the hospital for surgery.

Chapter 3

Daniel watched her dart out of sight and resisted the unbearable urge to chase her.
She’s gone. I didn’t even get to set a date, and she’s off to do… What the heck is she off to do?
Disappointment pulled his brows down, and he shoved his hands into his pockets in defeat.
What am I supposed to do now?

His negative thoughts were interrupted when the woman who was introduced as Bethany walked over and shook his hand. “It was nice meeting you, Daniel. Thanks for your help.” She smiled and squeezed his hand tight before she gave him an exaggerated wink and mouthed the words, “Call her.”

She pressed a small piece of paper into his palm, and when he looked at her face, he returned her amiable expression and leaned closer to her to whisper in her ear. “Thank you!”

Bethany winked again and hurried the girls toward the shops at the end of the block after they put money on the table for the tip.

A deep sigh forced its way out of his chest as he headed back to his table.
I miss her already.
He felt colder without her close by, empty even. As he took his seat back at his table, he unfolded the piece of paper Bethany passed to him in the handshake. Ten digits were written under the name Alicia Lewis. Happiness and gratitude made him feel as if he could levitate, and he knew from the tightness in his cheeks that he sported a goofy grin.

“Wanna talk about it now?” Chris was almost glaring at him as he rocked back and forth on the back legs of his chair.

To his amazement, he’d forgotten about Chris while he was with Alicia, and he didn’t see the problem with that. As he locked eyes with his baffled best friend, he mulled over every word she’d said. “What’s an ASD?”

“A what?” Chris frowned, and stared at him like he’d grown a second head.

“She said she had to go, emergency ASD.”

“Why are you asking me? You’re the one who got her wet so you could read her water more … intimately.” He rolled his eyes before he took a deep breath, and he leaned forward, settling his chair on all four legs. “Tell me what you learned.”

Daniel couldn’t explain his need to be cautious, but as soon as Chris asked the question, he felt a strong need to keep anything about Alicia to himself, as if he needed to protect it.

When he didn’t respond, Chris released an annoyed sigh. “
Enki
help me. How long have we known each other? Get a hold of yourself and just tell me what you found out. I am not going to steal your
Dau-Hael
.”

Daniel took a deep breath through his nostrils to calm himself.
He’s right.
He trusted Chris with his life, and he knew he had nothing to worry about.
So why am I hesitating?
It took a few more seconds to convince himself to share, but as he placed his hand over the pocket with her number inside, his excitement returned. “She’s a doctor.”

“What kind of doctor?”

“She’s a heart surgeon.”

Chris raised an eyebrow and smiled. “So she’s smarter than you. What else?”

“She’s shy, loyal, strong, caring, supportive, understanding, and she smells like vanilla and sandalwood.” His thoughts traveled back to her, and he lost himself in his recollection of the most perfect woman in the world. She was infused into his water, and he would be able to sense her anywhere. Getting her wet was part of his plan, and he had succeeded in forming the
Enaal
bond with her. He smiled to himself as he thought of her face, her fingers, her hands, her legs, and the bit of cleavage he saw.

“Daniel, if you’re about to start whacking off, I’m done. I don’t care how long we’ve known each other.”

“Stay out of my water, Chris.” He wanted to be angry, but even as he did his best to glare at him, he couldn’t hold back his laughter, and Chris joined in.

“I’m happy for you, my friend.” Chris reached out to clap him on the shoulder. His warm smile reached his eyes, and in that moment it seemed as if Chris was just as excited as he was.

“Weren’t we on a mission, Mr. Twenty Questions?”

Chris winked, and they returned to the task at hand. They needed to locate their mark, and they scanned the sidewalk across the street. “Intel says this guy’s also been attacking women, using their water to keep them from moving.”

“Then let’s get him.”

Chapter 4

Alicia released a weary breath through her teeth as she removed her surgical mask. Peeling off two layers of gloves on her hands was one of the last tasks before she could head back to her office. As she approached the row of deep stainless steel sinks, she thought over the case she’d just finished.
That was pretty close.
She bumped a lever beneath the large basin in front of her with her knee and placed her hands into the stream of water activated by the action. She stared ahead at the pale green subway tiles on the wall and scrubbed away the light dusting of powder left behind from the gloves.
Thank you, inventors of Gore-Tex. ASD repairs wouldn’t be the same without you.
Thoughts of super materials and op notes swirled in her head until a familiar voice called out above the sound of the water as it splashed against the metal.

“There she is. Great work on that case.”

“Were you watching?” Alicia turned to regard Dr. Thomas Bergen, hospital director.

“I certainly was. Your skills are as sharp as ever.” The older doctor spoke with a twinkle in his eye, a look she’d seen in her father’s eyes many times before.

“Thanks, but we were lucky they arrived when they did.” Alicia shut off the water and grabbed a few paper towels. She turned to face the doctor as she dried her hands, leaning against one of the sink dividers while he spoke.

“Don’t be so modest, Dr. Lewis. You do great work, and you help a lot of people. We are proud to have you on staff.”