Wild Men of Alaska Collection - By Helmer, Tiffinie Page 0,81
her ceiling sparkled with stars and the fluid streams of the Milky Way. She found Lucky, having placed the books she’d been making him hold, onto the display. He’d even moved the books around so that the colors on the covers popped and balanced the promo. There wasn’t anything about what he’d done that she’d change.
He seemed to get her in a way that no man had before. As though he could see into her soul.
He turned as she approached and for a moment she thought she saw more than an apron, hat and scarf. He seemed more outlined in the dim light. If she squinted, she thought she could see details of his frame.
The hat cocked to the side. “Fleetwood Mac?”
“I’m a hippie child. Some things you don’t outgrow.”
“I’m a big fan of Stevie Nicks and of the hippie lifestyle.”
“You’re not just saying that?”
She felt the touch of his hand on her check. “One thing you can rely on with me, Gemma, I will never lie to you.” She felt his other hand on her waist, just above her hip. “Dance with me.”
She slid into his arms as though she’d always belonged. His hips brushed hers, as they moved into a rhythm as natural as breathing. He led her across the book floor under the twinkling lights of the constellations as the smoky voice of Stevie Nicks sang “If Anyone Falls in Love.” It was like they danced on clouds as each step fell into step with each other. He twirled her around the bookcases, from romance to mystery to sci-fi, they glided.
The song changed to the slower ballad “Silver Springs,” and Lucky wrapped both of his arms around her, pulling her in close to his body. She sighed, resting her head on his invisible shoulder. This felt so perfect, yet made no sense.
“Babe, just live in the moment.”
His bedroom voice rumbled under her ear, and the scent of fresh mountain air twined around her. She didn’t even mind his use of “babe” as she had the other night. This time her insides melted with the endearment. His hands caressed up and down her back, as his hips brushed tantalizingly against hers.
He slowed their movements until they were basically standing in place, holding each other and swaying to the music.
“My mother read your Tarot cards today.”
“I know. I was there. I couldn’t communicate due to the storm, but I heard every word.”
“How close did the reading come?”
“Damn freaky. Your mother is one woman who is tuned into the Universe.”
“How much do you believe?”
“Just the fact that I’m here with you now has me believing everything.”
“What’s the time limit that the cards spoke of? And the choices you must make?”
“The Northern Lights dictate the time I can be with you. Once they settle back down to normal, I won’t be able to return to this plane. Unless....”
“Unless what?”
“I must choose to stay or to move on.”
“If you choose to stay how would that work?”
“Much like a spirit who is tied to his life.”
“And if you move on?”
There was a long pause as he slowly turned her in a small circle. “There is no place that I would rather be than in your arms.”
“We are talking Heaven here, right? You want to give up Heaven to be with me?”
“Gemma, when I’m with you I feel more alive than I did when I was alive.”
“But you climbed mountains, lived on the edge. How does being with me, like this, compare to all that you have done before?”
“Don’t you realize that love is the biggest adventure of all?”
Did that mean he loved her?
“Yes.”
“You’re supposed to stay out of my head.”
“That is too important of a question not to hear...or answer.”
She stopped swaying and stood still within his arms. “What do you see as a future for us?”
“I don’t know.” His arms tightened around her as though he was afraid she’d break their embrace. “All I know is that love is the most important thing out there. Love traverses life and death. Close your eyes, Gemma. Let me show you.”
Part of her wanted to do exactly that. Close her eyes and be lost in the fantasy of this man. But wouldn’t that be opening herself for heartache to come? Of course it would.
“Gemma?”
“I need some time to think.” This was not the ideal relationship. What kind of future would they have together? Her always alone except for her “imaginary” friend. While she believed he was real, others would not. They might do to her