All Characters mentioned are not my own but the lovely Kim Harrisons. The way in which I write this story will be quite slow into the beginning but its all adding up to a big plot =) Hope you enjoy and please comment! Thanks x
Chapter 2 – I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Joe's is packed with its usual folk in from the rush hour of the working lunch break. I know this because I'm not working and find myself sitting here most days. Works been slow, real slow. If I didn't know better I'd say someone was warning potential clients away from me. A year or two ago I would have blamed it on Trent but now I'm not so sure. Maybe Rynn Cormell or HAPA? The Coven? Or maybe it's just paranoia but a girls gotta keep her guard up when nearly every little creepy inderlander wants her ass on a plate. And I like my ass where it is thank you very much.
Just then a smell draws me out of my little funk and swiveling my head I see a woman carrying the best looking pecan pie I have ever seen. Nobody's got time for cherry pie when that little beauty is walking around out there. I spot Trent in the cue, his back to me, and try to get his attention "Hey Trent. Trent! Hey!" Not even a little bit of arm wave gets him. Wadding up a piece of napkin I make a ball and throw it at his head. Nobody really notices but I see his shoulders flinch and tense giving away his aggravation. Smoothing his hair and pulling at his lapels the elf slowly turns his head to me. There's a neutral smile on his lips but his eyes glare and I laugh knowing it's all for me. I miss that glare, haven't seen it in some time what with all the little recent revelations between us. Still smiling I shout "I've changed my mind. I want the pecan pie!" This is received with an eye roll followed by some muttering I don't hear.
When he has our order he walks over and lowers himself into his side of the booth. "Will we be shouting in every establishment we enter today Miss Morgan?" He can't be that peeved if he's still using sarcasm. I said "Sorry but I really wanted the pecan. Thanks for this by the way". With a small smile he said "Daddy Wallbucks, Right?" I laugh remembering when I called him that.
Getting comfy and doing that little happy wriggle only sugary stuff will make you do I ask "So what have the girls been doing whilst with Ellasbeth?"I don't think I can say that name without getting a bad taste in my mouth. Trent finishes chewing his pie, cherry of course. He said "According to Quen she's been taking them on daily rides through the outback forests on the grounds. He goes with them of course, I wouldn't permit it any other time but having been in those forests myself and knowing what's there, it puts me at ease. Were trying to keep to their schedules as much as possible. Too much change might upset them not to mention adjusting to the absence of their-of Ceri. " He looks to the table then, hiding his eyes. We lapse into silence and continue eating. Both lost to the torturous memories that name brings up.
Bringing my attention back Trent continues "I think their happy though. The girls. Well what with all the babbling noises Lucy has been making when I call and the little giggles." Were both smiling but his eyes are far away and they suddenly turn into a frown as though he's thought of something unpleasant. I nearly reach my hand out to him. Just nearly though. "Trent?" Bringing his attention back to me he asks "What if they prefer it there Rachael. What if being near the sea and forests is what they want. Wouldn't it be better for them to grow up there and not some lonely mansion in the middle of nowhere?" This time my hand finds its mark. Gripping his fingers and peering up into his down cast eyes I say fiercely "Hey. You stop that right now. Those girls adore you. It sucks that Ellasbeth has to be part of their lives but they're clever kids and I know they will remember Ceri even if it was for such a short time but they will relate the memory of her to your home. To the fields I know they love riding across. And the loving father who tucks them in every night. Plus we got ourselves a pixie this side of town. No kids gonna say no to that." I say the last with a little smile which he returns but I know he still has his doubts.
Placing his other hand atop mine he squeezes my fingers and says "Thank you Rachael. I needed to hear that." Neither of us moves our hands but we both just sit there staring at them. I become very aware of how warm his hand is in mine. Of the small calluses that line his palm from years of horse riding. The golden tan that marks his natural colouring. The thumb now stroking across the sensitive skin of my palm. My breath hitches and I look up only to find him staring at me with some intense emotion I can't interpret. "Trent?" my voice is a breathy question. "Yes?" he asks still stroking my palm, still staring at me with that look.
I don't know what I was questioning but in some part of my mind I knew it wasn't really a question I was asking but more a beseeching of him to make things between us just-just work dammit! I wanted him and I hated that I wanted him and couldn't have him. He exhilarated me, charmed me and annoyed the hell out of me to the point I wanted to pull his silky little locks out. Yet through it all I have always found myself sneaking back into his life somehow. Like there's this gravitational pull between us and when we meet its either in anger, honour or lust.
Never taking his eyes from mine he raises my hand still clasped between his two towards his mouth but he doesn't kiss them. Just rests his mouth against my hand and closes his eyes as if it's too much and not enough. Joe's Café has gone and all noise along with it. Here it's just me and Trent. We stay like that for some time, me just staring and him holding my hand as though it were the most precious thing in his world. Mesmerized I watch while some conflict occurs within him. The rational business man must have won because he suddenly draws a deep breath, kisses my hand and lowers it to the table.
Realising I hadn't taken a breath since his mouth touched my hand I take a sharp inhalation and feel myself quiver from the lingering adrenaline. We stare at each other again but this time there is regret and a sadness so deep in his eyes my heart breaks and I know his must too because my eyes mirror his. We've been here before though. Both know the drill. So why do we keep doing this?
I am suddenly so depressed that I just want to go home, turn the phone off, close the curtains and lie under my bed covers until this beautiful man in front of me marries that ice bitch and then and only then would I come out. Because surely the barrier of a marriage would stop this longing. Right?
I don't see Trent for a few days after that as I think it's best to put a little distance there now before things go too far. A little voice in my head whispers that it's already past too far. Out loud I say "Shut up." Jenks who's near the kitchen window hovering over a little carton of water cress I bought the other day, jumps at the sound of my voice as much as a pixie can mid flight. "Tinks titties Rache you been eating too many Brimestone cookies again or you just got the crazies going on?" I'm sitting at the dining table staring into my mug shouting out obscenities so I think I'll go for the latter.
Out my peripheral vision I see sparkles heading my way then feel a slight weight fall on my shoulder. Speaking quieter I said "Sorry Jenks just having an inner argument. You know how they go." Wiggling to get comfy Jenks Hmphs in agreement. "Had me a few of them. Broke a few twigs doing it too. Wanna tell your favorite pixie what's in that fuzzy noggin of yours?"
Although I'm close to Ivy and Jenks I've never actually told them about the whole seeing Trent in a new light thing. It's still too fresh and I'm not even sure what's going on there anyway so I shrug it off and tell Jenks thanks but no. Trying for normalcy I ask "So we going to take up that Gooderman guy up on his offer?"
Yesterday morning I'd had my first call about a run in what seems like forever. The man was named Jeff Gooderman and said he had some suspicions about a coven of witches infiltrating his boating warehouse at night and performing demonic rituals. When I asked why he thought demons he simply replied by saying well what else would they be doing. Idiot. I didn't like him already but work's been slow and it's not like I can afford to turn him down.
Flying off my shoulder and into my line of sight Jenk's cocks his hands on his hips and stares. Even at six inches he's someone to be wary of. Pixies are crafty and very resourceful when need be. I should know. "What?" I huff. Jenks said "You know you should wait for Ivy to get back before we start on this one. Dark Warehouse. Demon summoning covens! No Rache it's got dead redhead written all over it!" I roll my eyes and take a sip of coffee. It's cold.
I said "Jenks you will be there to scope any crafty business out before I head in. I mean come on look at what we have done together were an amazing team! And I promise to plan ahead and then make plans for those plans." My smile is like a Cheshire cats. Jenks murmurs "I don't know Rache. Got a bad feeling and they're usually right." My smile slips and I say "Jenks please I need this now." Something in my face must be pitying because the pixie seems to deflate and lets of a puff of air saying "Fine but if you die Ivy's finally gonna pin me to the wall. You think about that while your out there." I grin like an idiot feeling like things are looking up. Tomorrow I start a run.