“Morning, Grandma. Can I help with that?” I offer.
“Morning, son. Can you pour us drinks?”
I nod, running my fingers through my wet hair. Within minutes we’re sitting at our table together.
“I have to run a few errands around town and was hoping for some help as long as you’re caught up on schoolwork.”
Bobbing my head as I take a big bite of bacon. “I’m always about a week ahead in all of my classes,” I admit with a shrug. Staying on top of my schoolwork has never been a chore.
She beams a proud smile at me. It makes me puff up my chest just a bit more knowing she’s proud of me. Not something I ever considered I’d receive from her.
“I called the nursery too, and they have a few Agastache if you’d like to get any for Adriel.”
She remembered his name. That does funny things to my heart.
I simply dip my chin, afraid to say words, or else they’ll betray the emotions threatening to consume me.
After breakfast, I change and am sitting in the car with Grandma Julia as we make several stops. She even treats me to lunch at her favorite diner in town. We walk in with her arm wrapped around mine. I even get the door for her and she smiles broadly. She shows me off to all of her friends inside and the last bit of ice surrounding my heart melts away.
After Adriel claimed me with our joint orgasm last night and Grandma Julia proudly leading me around town, I’m walking on cloud nine. Butterflies erupt in my stomach. At long last, I’m feeling more whole than I ever have.
That floaty feeling carries me through several more stops, including the nursery where we pick out a whole tray of flowers for me to take to him.
But when we stop in town for Grandma to run into the little corner store, a sickening roil replaces the flitty butterflies.Without even thinking, my feet lead me through town as if they’re following a magnet. Drawing me in. It’s not until I’m frozen in front of Abraham’s bookshop that I realize what I’ve done.
I want to turn and flee. Return to the safety of my grandmother.
Yup, never thought I’d think those words.
After the awkward visit during the hurricane, I don’t want to see him. He’s been acting strange, well more strange than usual. My right foot attempts to step back and escape, but I’m rooted to the sidewalk. And when Abraham lifts his head to meet my stricken gaze, I know I’m in trouble.
His eyes assess me through the shop window just before a wicked grin curls up his face and his eyes appear to shine like they’re lit from behind.
My blood turns to ice. This isn’t right. Something is wrong.
Reaching quickly to grasp my necklace through my shirt, begging for any ounce of strength I can muster. But the necklace isn’t there.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Shitfuckshitfuckshitfuck!
Abraham crosses the shop with those long legs, inhaling deeply when he opens the door for me. “Rami,” he purrs, and I want to lose my entire lunch onto the sidewalk.
Or scream.
Or literally anything other than stand there like I do.
Chapter 37
Abraham's POV
Well, this boring day has taken a turn I never saw coming. Rami is standing in front of my shop. I honestly thought I’d never see him again with the way we left things. But here he is.
His protection is gone,the voice says, rejoicing.
I don’t know how they know exactly, but the air does feel lighter. Perhaps that’s what they’re talking about. After being together for nearly 400 years, I’ve stopped doubting them. They’re my loyal companion. Even after everyone else in my life has turned me away. Shunned me. We are one.
The voice pushes to the forefront, and I allow them to take over. It’s an intoxicating sensation, relinquishing control.
We are across the shop in three steps, pushing the door open. The air around little Rami is rife with his fear. That should be the elixir of the gods. The cloying scent surrounds me.
