Page 15 of Tides of Time

“Keep talking to me like that and we won’t make it to the bar for that drink.” he offered her a playful wink and swore she stumbled on her feet as if he flustered her the way she was doing to him.

“Promises you’ve always made.” She spoke so low under her breath he almost missed it.

“Come again?”

She flushed. “Nothing, please, that drink would be wonderful now that I’ve made a fool of myself.”

“No,” he stopped and couldn’t ignore the urge to take her hand, this time intertwining his fingers in hers. The moment he touched her, a spark of pain began near his temple.

He wasn’t one for headaches, but he also didn’t pick up beautiful women for drinks in the middle of the day. He tried again, focusing on the swirling blue in her eyes.

“Never apologize for yourself. Be focused on what you want, and direct in how you’ll get it.”

Her bright and vibrant eyes darkened with a tinge of pain, but she quickly regained her composure and put on a brave smile. The fleeting moment of hurt was evident, but she didn't want to let it show for long.

This woman was strange and beautiful, but he chose to simply believe she was strangely beautiful.

“All right, I won’t.” she didn’t move to pull her hand from his, and they stood on the sidewalk, staring at one another. “That drink?” She prompted after a moment.

“Yes, the drink,” Orion shook his head and tried to refocus himself. Never had a beautiful woman has such an affect on him. This one seemed to stir emotions he swore he’d never had - refused to ever have - so he would not leave a woman widow as a stray bullet had done to his mother.

He walked again, gently guiding her down the street until they stood before the small restaurant. “I may have stretched the truth when I said drink, but water should be good all the same.”

Her laughter set his soul alive. He’d never heard a more musical sound. It called to him, made him want to thread his fingers in her hair and kiss her until the world fell away.

Perhaps she’s a siren come calling to distract me from my work.He chuckled at the thought, and she tilted her head to the side.

“I’m not certain what amuses you, but water would be wonderful. I’m not used to such heat.”

Orion guided her in. “And what weather are you used to?”

“Humid. Rainy. Wet.” She shrugged as if he should understand. “So the opposite of here, but it was important I come.”

“To meet someone like me,” he grinned as he guided them to a table.

“Precisely.”

“You must entertain me while we help hydrate you.” he let go of her hand as she slipped onto the booth seat before joining her on the other bench. “Why come looking for someone like me?”

“To fall in love,” she held the most serious expression for a few moments before it twisted with laughter. “I should not have played such a trick, but it is not so far off.”

He exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he’d held.

“I’m here because I made a promise to someone that I love that I wouldn’t go and change history alone.”

“So, you’re planning to make some waves?”

She laughed again. The sound of whistling and magical bells filled his ears.

“One might say that. Tell me, Orion Levi, what is it about you that makes me unable to look anywhere else?”

“I could have asked you the same question, Ariana de Gasol.” The sound of her name on his lips had an unexpected response. Blood rushed to his cock as if he spoke her name in the peak of passion.

He let his hand shift over hers, wondering if he moved far too fast with a woman he’d met on a street corner. A strange calm washed over him when she didn’t tug hers out from under him.

They sat like that, talking about everything and nothing for so long the sun began to set in the sky. They’d drank, shared food, and everything in between that two people could do while trapped in a meal hall.

“It would appear I’ve drastically altered your day.”

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