Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,91
need to see my girlfriend, just to touch base and let her know I’m okay.”
Adolf’s eyes narrowed. “Is your girlfriend Ruxandra?”
Nick almost burst out laughing, but he managed to swallow it. “No. Why would you think that?”
“Because she’s the only paranormal in there at the moment.”
I wonder how he knows where she is. “I thought she was in jail.”
“They couldn’t make the charges stick.”
“How do you know all this?”
Adolf clammed up. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Do you want to see Mother Nature or not?”
“I didn’t mean to rattle you. I was just curious. Yes, I’d like to see Gaia as soon as possible.”
“Fine. I’ll meet you in the bar.”
Nick nodded and left the strange young man to his preparations—whatever they were. He couldn’t wait another minute to see Brandee anyway. He walked through the door to the bar and spotted her immediately.
She was waiting on a table full of locals, and as if she sensed him, she glanced over her shoulder. She squealed, set down her tray, and ran over to him.
Jumping into his arms, she yelled, “Nick, I’ve never been so glad to see you.”
He crushed her to his chest and then remembered not to squeeze too hard or he could squash her like a bug. That would be an awful way to say, “Hi, honey, I’m home.”
She leaned back enough to smile at him, then mashed her mouth to his. He had no idea how long they kissed. He felt slightly dizzy afterward, as if he hadn’t taken a breath for a while. Perhaps he hadn’t.
Ruxandra sauntered over to them. “At least someone in this dump is happy.”
“Nice to see you too, Ruxandra,” Nick said. He set Brandee on her feet. “Sweetheart, I just wanted you to know I’m back. I have one more thing to take care of. I hope it won’t take long, but if it does, I don’t want you to worry. I’m fine.”
She rubbed his biceps. “I missed you so much, Nick.”
“I missed you too.”
Ruxandra spun on her heel. “I’d better go before I vomit.”
As soon as they were alone again, Brandee lowered her voice. “Does it hurt?”
“The wound? Nah. I’m all healed and good as new. How are things around here?”
“About the same. As you can see, Ruxandra’s back, and Anthony is hiding in his office most of the time. Other than that, everything’s okay.”
“Good. I’ll be back as soon as I take care of this one important matter.”
She looked as if she was about to pout. “Is it dangerous?”
What could he say? If Mother Nature was in a bad mood, it might be. He didn’t want to lie to Brandee, but he couldn’t afford to tell her the whole truth either. Besides, he didn’t really know what the truth was at that point.
Nick brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I should be safe enough.” And if I’m not, I’ll get the hell out of there before she drops me into an active volcano.
Brandee gave him a smile that looked as sad as it did happy. “Don’t be long.” Then she drew a fingernail down his chest and a sly smile replaced the sad one. “I have a special welcome home planned.”
Please be sex. Please be sex. Please be sex. “I won’t be a minute later than I have to be.”
Nick didn’t know if he’d even be allowed to see the deity, but if perchance an audience was granted, lingering was the last thing on his mind.
***
Adolf opened the door to the bar but just stood in the doorway.
That’s right. The kid isn’t old enough to drink. He’s probably never been in here. Again, Nick wondered how Adolf knew what went on inside the bar. Maybe he watched customers come and go from an upstairs window. Yeah, that’s probably it. But a niggling feeling told Nick that might not be the whole story.
He kissed Brandee good-bye, then strode to the door and out onto the sidewalk.
“Ready?” was all Adolf asked.
“As much as I’ll ever be.” Nick steeled himself for whatever the kid had to do to transport him to the Council.
Instead of magic dust, the kid just walked off toward the nearest side street and rounded the corner. Nick kept up with him easily. They walked uphill, and Nick guessed they were going to the mysterious office building on State Street.
When they finally got there, Adolf opened the outer door and, with a sweeping gesture, indicated that Nick was to enter first.