Chapter 4
Shanna popped in that evening.
Nina and Brett had been sitting companionably on matching armchairs, in her lounge. She, on her laptop, he was glued to the TV, watching a movie. When informed by Brett of the new plans, Shanna hit the roof. She told him in no uncertain terms what she thought of the idea. She wasn’t even hindered by Nina being there, hearing all of it.
As she watched the whole shebang, a grudging sympathy for Shanna crept in, after the initial anger. For her misreading the situation, her misconception. She ranted he was letting his personal feelings for Nina cloud his judgment.
She waited for the expected explosion from Brett.
It didn’t come.
Nina turned to glance at him.
He sat holding the TV remote, after switching it on mute, watching Shanna with a contemplative stare. No expression on his face.
Nina was floored when he finally spoke.
“What you think is irrelevant. This is no concern of yours.” He calmly stated.
“You go do your duty. I am doing what I feel I have to. End of story.”
He hadn’t contradicted Shanna.
Nina stared in disbelief.
It was like an admission to her accusation.
It was too ludicrous.
Shanna’s eyes widened. She blinked.
It was clear she hadn’t expected that reaction from him at all.
Sputtering, she rallied.
“But I take my orders from you.”
“Exactly.”
He was back to arrogance.
A disgruntled look came over Shanna’s face.
“Now go do what you were ordered to.” He commanded, a steely note now in his voice.
A hurt look took over from the disgruntled one, but Shanna turned without another word, and disappeared. Without a word to Nina, or a look her way, Brett turned back to the TV. He raised the volume with the remote, then settled back to continue his movie.
Nina was dumbfounded.
No, he couldn’t have those feelings for her, she reasoned them away, it was just to avoid further arguments on the subject. Her hands had stilled on her laptop, when Shanna had popped in, now she typed something to give the semblance of doing some work. When in reality, her brain was trying to analyze the current revelation.
On that point, she was not going to ask. She didn’t want him to think she had lofty ideas of an angel being interested in her, a mere human.
She let that one slide.
“Would you like me to make the couch up for you?” She asked a few minutes after nine. She was ready for bed then. She had to make an early morning start again.
“No, thank you. Bring the bedding. I’ll make it when I’m ready for bed.”
He looked up at her standing in the doorway, just long enough to say.
“You go get some rest. I’ll be here.”
Then he looked back at the movie on the screen, no interest at all in his eyes.
‘Hmm, so much for Shanna thinking he has feelings for me.’ She laughed at herself.
Pivoting, she made for the cupboard near the bathroom which held her bed linens.
He grunted a thanks when she laid the bedding beside him on the couch.
“Goodnight then.”
Piqued, she rushed to her room.
Closing the door, she changed into pajama pants with a vest.
After brushing her teeth in the teeny bathroom with its teeny hand-basin, she went back into her bedroom, coming to a halt when she spied him standing by her bed.
“What…”
Before she could finish, he was right there in front of her.
Hauling her up, he dropped his head to proceed to kiss the breath out of her.
Astounded, she stood there helpless.
Combing a hand through her frizzy hair, he then cupped her cheek.
“Goodnight, love.”
Gently, he brushed her lips one more time with his, then released her to step back.
She wondered how she was still standing.
She was trembling all over.
With a smile, he left her staring after him in stupefied bemusement as he strode out of the room.
A few second later, she remembered to breathe when dizziness assailed her.
She crawled into bed to lie sleepless, her head spinning with unanswered questions. These latest developments were welcome, but alarming too.
‘Whoa. Shanna knew?”
She fell asleep with that thought and woke up to the same when the alarm beeped.
Nina was aware of his presence in the apartment, as she rushed to get ready for work. She finally made it out of her room, grabbing her bag on the way from the table in her minuscule hallway. He was standing holding the door open for her. There was no embarrassment, nor awkwardness, just acceptance when she saw him. No words spoken when she rushed past him. She sensed him following her out, closing the door behind him.
They got to the station just in time. Rushing onto the train, they were lucky to find empty seats. Her heart fluttered, then sped up when he pushed her head on his shoulder.
“Get some more rest. I’ll wake you up when we arrive.”
He said, as he stretched his legs out in the space between the seats.
She wondered how he thought she could sleep with being that close to his body.
In truth her head was whirling, her mouth parched.
She couldn’t seem to breathe normally being this close to him.
“No. I don’t think I’ll do that, thanks.”
Trying to move out of his arms was hard, because he was intent on keeping her there.
“Well then, stay there while I snooze.”
At her look of derision, he said cajoling.
“I need to know you’re safe in my arms. He can’t get to you when I am this close to you.”
“Really?” She queried looking interested, her unease forgotten.
His reply floored her again.
“Not really. But it’s for my own peace of mind.”
He smiled at her when she started squirming again, then admonished in a no-nonsense voice.
“Stop.”
She froze. She didn’t move until he chuckled.
“What?” She was mad.
“I just wanted to know if you would obey my orders, should I need you to do something in a hurry.”
He grinned down at her.
“Now I know if I use my angel command voice, you would.”
“You’re mean.” She slapped his arm.
He allowed her to pull away from him this time. Settling herself at the end of the seat close to the window, Nina was still aware of his thigh close to her own.
‘But at least I’m not pressed up against him’, she thought to herself.
Now that was dangerous to her health. Her blood pressure shot sky-high every time he was near.
Arriving at her workplace, he went into stealth mode. He told her no one could see, nor hear him, but her.
She could feel him even if he was somewhere out of her line of sight. She could sense his presence. His was a commanding presence that couldn’t be ignored. Others sensed him too because they kept looking towards the empty space beside her.
When her steps faltered, then stopped, his whisper rumbled urgent in her ear.
“What’s the matter?”
Not being able to answer back without anyone hearing, she remained mute. They would think she was going insane talking to herself.
She shook her head, but stood immobile, irresolute.
His voice became insistent.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” His voice became rough.
“Is he here? I can’t see him anywhere, nor sense him.”
He was becoming agitated.
She knew by the rising note in his voice, he would do something drastic if she didn’t answer.
Becoming agitated, she tried to think of a way to communicate without anyone thinking she was a crazy lady. Then her thoughts crystallized as she remembered the channel he and Shanna used.
Could she use that without him killing her?
But if he were here to protect her, why kill her?
She must have lost her mind thinking he was capable of that.
Sensing he was becoming murderous, she thought loud in her mind.
“STOP”
All movement ceased from him.
She felt shock emanate from him. A harsh breath was expelled from him a second later.
She winced as a vice like grip clamped onto her arm.
She was propelled forward.
He didn’t scare her.
“Stop. People will see.” She spoke into the grim silence.
He ignored her.
She was frog marched to the lady’s restroom, then shoved inside. She breathed a sigh of relief to find the room empty.
“You sneaky little witch.” He gritted out, materializing.
“You heard us, and kept quiet about it?”
He eyed her with suspicion.
“Did you get a thrill out of hearing our private conversations?”
“No…I was just as surprised as you when I could tune into your angel channel. Then I was scared you would kill me if you knew.”
She stared him straight in the eye as she spoke her fears aloud.
Exhaling, he relaxed his rigid posture.
“Foolish mortal.” He smiled, which took the sting out of the words.
‘He sounds almost loving’, she thought.
“I am here to protect you, not harm you.”
He voiced the same thought Nina had a minute ago.
She relaxed.
She hadn’t realized she had been rigid with apprehension.
“So, it’s not a bad thing?” She asked, hopeful.
“It’s not to me, but don’t let Shanna know.” He smiled.
“She will never let you hear the end of it.”
Nina laughed. “I know right.”
Reaching out, he gently cupped her face.
“All right. Now, you’re going to be late if you don’t punch in now.”
Flustered by his caress, she scrambled past him, causing him to drop his hand. Hurrying out of the lady’s restroom, she met one of her coworkers coming in to use the facilities. Panicking, she turned back to warn Brett.
“I’m invisible.” His whisper reassured her.
In every room she cleaned at first, he was there helping her. In the last one, he lounged around, until she admonished him.
“You are hindering my work. Either you help or get out of my way.”
Her huff of exasperation amused him.
“Fine. I will do all I can to help from now on, sweetheart.”
The amusement in his eyes belied the seriousness of his voice.
“Fine. Start with the bed you’re lounging on.” She tested him. “Strip it.”
He looked at her, then at the bed, then without a word he bent down to strip it. Nina watched him for a few seconds, then seeing nothing to indicate he was going to stop, she went into the bathroom to clean there.
She came to investigate when it had gone quiet in the bedroom. She was pleasantly surprised to find it spic and span. He was standing in the kitchen area, waiting expectantly for her reaction.
She refrained from her initial reaction of wanting to wipe that smug look off his face.
She had to admit he had done a great job.
“Good job.” It was grudgingly given.
‘I need to work on my people skills’, she thought in wry amusement.
He grinned. He knew what she had been thinking.
Since that was Nina’s last room for the day, Brett helped her pack her cleaning supplies into her trolley.
Just as they finished, an elderly couple came out of the room next door, taking the both of them by surprise. A ‘Do not disturb’ sign hung on the door of the room they had come out of. Nina registered all of this before everything went sideways.
“Oh damn.” Brett said, as he did his disappearing act.
But he was a second too late!
The lady had turned to look their way at the very moment he vanished. Stopping dead, she looked astounded. An instant later, a suspicious look settled on her face. Warily, she stood staring intently at the place where Brett had stood. She stood staring at the spot then back to Nina, back to the spot, then back to Nina, again a couple of times, like she watched a tennis match.
Her jowls shook as she did this.
Nina quickly pushed her trolley past her. Pretending that nothing out of the ordinary had happened, she pushed her trolley past the lady’s partner who had come to a halt a few paces ahead of the lady. Realizing she was not with him; he had turned back to see what was keeping her.
“Come on, hon. We’ll be late.” He sounded exasperated.
A chuckle sounded in her ear.
Nina whispered, “Shush…”, under her breath, as she passed the man.
The guy looked at her, puzzled.
The gathering frown on his face showed his displeasure.
He thought she had been shushing him.
She ignored his censorious look as she continued on her way.
Her sense of humor had reasserted itself by this time.
Trying hard to keep a straight face in the wake of Brett’s laugh in her ear with the quip, “Yep, you told him, sister.” was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
She waited until they were in the lift, before collapsing against her trolley in helpless laughter, tears of mirth running down her cheeks.
“You’re incorrigible, do you know that?” She chortled as soon as she could speak without cracking up.
Her stomach was sore. Quips from Brett kept her going off in peals of laughter.
“You’re going to make people think I’m going crazy talking to myself. Or get me into trouble.”
She had enjoyed his company if truth be told.
He was fun without Shanna around.
He kept quiet on the train going home. He left her to relax after the grueling work they had undertaken. It earned him her undying gratitude.
And respect.
She was surprised to admit that, but she did respect him.
He knew what she needed, before she did.
Nina was in the bedroom dressing after her shower when she heard voices from the lounge. She didn’t bother at first, thinking Brett had turned the TV on. He had developed a craze for talk shows and soap operas. He surfed channels until he got one or the other.
Feeling hungry, she came out of the bedroom to get her dinner going. She promised herself a snack, while she worked on her online course.
She literally bumped into Shanna.
Recoiling, she asked, “What are you doing here?”
She knew she was being rude, but not caring a whit.
Shanna looked like she wanted to strangle her. But her eyes darted to someone, or something, just out of Nina’s view.
Taking a step around her, Nina spied Brett standing at the kitchen slash dining area. There was a complete stranger standing beside him. He was a gorgeous man with beautiful auburn hair. Blue eyes as bright as the sky on a summer’s day stared back with interest.
“And who do we have here?”
His accent sounded lyrical, different from the other two. She recognized his accent as coming from some European country. Spanish or Italian.
“Oh, that’s just the ‘thing’ we’re supposed to be guarding.”
Shanna’s caustic voice earned her a reprimand from Brett, and a censorious look from the stranger. Nina knew she was getting back at her for a remark she made earlier.
She grinned inwardly.
‘Serves her right.”, she thought.
“I’m Nina, the ‘thing’ they’re guarding.”
After making air quotes on the word ‘thing’, Nina held out a hand to the stranger. He gave her a wide grin.
To her surprise, instead of shaking it, as she expected, he lifted it to his lips to burn a kiss into her palm.
“And I, my dear lady, am Hullo, spelled with a J.”
He was a flirt.
“No wonder Brett sticks to you like glue.”
She heard Brett growl under his breath.
“Now I think it is my turn to stick to you.”
Brett grabbed her to pull her away, interposing himself between them.
“No. you’re not. You’re serving with Shanna.”
There was ice in his voice.
Julio chuckled. “No worries, my friend.”
He bowed in Nina’s direction.
“Was wonderful meeting you, my lady. Hope to have many more occasions like this.”
“Not likely…” She heard Brett mutter.
Ignoring him, she answered Julio.
“It was a pleasure meeting you as well, Julio.” and to irk Brett, she added.
“And I look forward to more of this too.”
Julio laughed out loud, delighted.
“You two better get back to your rounds.” Brett gritted out between clenched teeth.
That earned him Shanna’s acid tongue.
“We’re off then, freaks.”
And then they were gone.
The last thing Nina saw was Julio’s smirk.
He tickled her funny-bone. She liked him.
“What a great guy.” There was an unintelligible growl from Brett.
“Will I see more of him?”
“Nope.” The answer was short, terse.
“Oh, why? He’s fun.” Nina was only kidding.
But the reaction her answer provoked from Brett was astounding.
One minute he was a few paces away, the next he had her jammed up against the kitchen counter.
“He won’t be allowed anywhere near you.”
His growl reminded her of when you tried to take a bone away from a dog.
It didn’t scare, just aroused her.
‘Why do I find him so damn sexy at this very moment?’
She wanted to kiss him right now.
And she did.
She could feel his surprise when she pulled his head down. He hesitated for a split second, his lips resisting.
Then they firmed and opened.
His tongue thrust against hers. Then she was lost.
“Hmm, you taste so good.”
She pulled back to whisper against his lips. He growled, unintelligible, then pulled her back to his voracious mouth. She smiled as she eagerly accepted his dominance.
‘This was good. Wow. He is good.’ She thought, just before she went under for the second time.
Reluctantly, he pulled away after a few minutes.
Dazed, she gazed up at him.
“No.” He sounded regretful. “We can’t. I shouldn’t.”
Moving away, he turned to face her. He raised his hand to halt her. She stopped, undecided.
“No. Stop, sweetheart. We can’t. I have to protect you. And I can’t do that if my mind is not focused.”
“Focus on me.” She insisted. “I am the one to decide that, aren’t I?”
She kept on moving towards him. He looked alarmed. He kept on moving backwards. It was his turn to come up against the island.
He gripped her by the shoulders to hold her off.
“Don’t get me wrong. I want you so bad, but I have to do what I think is best for you right now. Okay?”
He overrode her arguments.
“No, I am not going to give in to this. So please stop.”
Now he sounded really mad at her.
She stopped.
With clarity she saw it was pointless to continue, if one party didn’t feel the same as the other. She backed away from him.
He looked pained.
“No, don’t look like that. You know I am attracted to you, but I can’t act on it right now.”
“Okay. Gonna go get something to eat now.”
She moved around him to get into the kitchenette.
He blocked her path.
“I meant that. I can’t do this now. But when this is all over. I will deal with what’s happening here, then.” He stated, his face looked grim, determined.
“I heard you.”
She had, loud and clear.
Ashamed, hurt, Nina retreated. She had been too forward, too aggressive. She was wrong to believe he felt the same way she did. Obviously, she was in some dreamland, to believe a gorgeous angel would feel that way about an ordinary looking black woman.
A human ordinary looking black woman.
She got it. She got him.
He was just doing his job.
He stared fixedly at her.
She was discomfited by his stare. It seemed to look right into her soul.
She looked away, then moved away from him. Not feeling too hungry after all that, she fixed a ham and cheese sandwich, aware of him standing there all the while she did. Needing to get out of the spotlight, she escaped with her plate into the lounge.
“Help yourself to one.” She invited, as she passed him.
He nodded, then allowed her to squeeze by him, without a word.
That was fine by her!
She didn’t want to speak to him either.
Didn’t know what to say, if truth be known.