Page 9 of A Matter of Time
“Yes,” Richard answered, pleased with Quinn’s swift return to work. It wouldn’t be long before he held the finished sword in his hands.
The traffic gettingfrom Angelina’s home to Nick’s place, was relatively light. It was rare that she could make her way across the city without sitting at every stoplight for what seemed like hours. She’d been gliding right along and had made it through just about every intersection without even stopping. She was excited to get to Nick’s today, which was unusual in itself. While she enjoyed Nick’s company, there really wasn’t anything out of the ordinary happening. She’d go to his place to pick him up, and they’d head off to practice. Afterwards, she’d drive him home and maybe they’d have dinner together. It was pretty routine. But today was different, she was experiencing a sense of heightened anticipation and knew that if she really wanted to consider it more closely, she could’ve identified the feeling as having a lot to do with seeing Nick’s friend Richard again. There was something about him that piqued her curiosity. He was so unmistakably masculine. His deep, rumbling voice and ever-so-dark eyes penetrated her soul, so much so, she hadn’t been able to get him out of her mind since yesterday. She’d have to be on her guard. Angelina didn’t like to show her hand too early with a guy. Of course, she didn’t plan on him being more than an enjoyable distraction, but she suspected Richard was someone who could distract her for a good long time, at least until he moved out of Nick’s place – or until Angelina decided to move on. She wasn’t one to let a man entrench himself too deeply into her life. She preferred to keep it all lighthearted, on the surface. Men were not to be trusted, she’d learned that from her mother’s mistakes and she had vowed she would never allow the same thing to happen to her. So far, she’d been as good as her word. Men had come and gone in her life and it never bothered her to let them go. Richard would be no different. That is, of course, if he actually was interested. He certainly seemed as if he was, but she’d know for certain soon enough. Angelina pulled her car into the parking space in front of Nick’s. It was her lucky day - no traffic and the best possible parking space. She wondered if her luck would hold out with Richard.
“Richard, can you get the door?” Nick called from his bedroom.
Richard headed to the front of the house and opened the door to find a vision of loveliness standing on the doorstep, smiling at him.
“Hi,” Angelina said. She cocked her head to the side and studied him with a rather odd expression on her face.
“Please, come in,” Richard said, moving out of the way for her to pass. “Is everything alright?” She was still gazing at him with that same expression.
“Fine,” she responded, straightening her head and licking her lips.
He found himself dumbfounded by her presence and unable to think of a single thing to say to her. He closed the door and followed her into the living room, where she turned and looked him over from head to toe.
“I see you found Dylan’s closet,” she announced.
“Yes, Nick said it would be acceptable for me to borrow some clothing for now. I hope you don’t mind.” Richard was uncomfortable under her watchful eye.
“No, of course not, Dylan wouldn’t mind. He’s very generous that way. Besides, I know Nick has made use of some of those clothes as well. And they fit you very nicely.” She was staring at him again, as if she was expecting some reaction from him.
“Is something wrong?” Richard asked.
“No. Why would you think that?”
“I don’t know. You’re looking at me with such intensity, I was wondering if perhaps I was not wearing the clothes properly.” Richard glanced down at his shirt and noted that itwasbuttoned properly. Everything to his eye appeared to be fine.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. You just look quite handsome, that’s all.” She turned and walked away from him, heading into the kitchen. He was glad she did, because her departure meant she wouldn’t notice the smug, self-satisfied smile which appeared on his lips. He followed after her, in hopes that he was not misreading her.
“Did Nick make any coffee? I usually need a little pick-me-up around this time of day.” Angelina walked over to the coffee pot, apparently pleased to find that there was enough remaining for her to have a cup.
Richard watched her every move in fascination. She poured her coffee and he noted her delicate hands as they held the pot. Those hands were connected to equally beautiful arms. His gaze travelled up to her shoulders and then down to the cleavage exposed by the low cut shirt she wore.
“Now who’s examining who?” Angelina asked, placing the coffee pot back on the counter. She turned her full attention on Richard, who couldn’t help but notice the smoldering eyes gazing without shame directly into his own.
“Are you flirting with me?” Richard asked.
Angelina shrugged her shoulders, a soft, sensual smile lighting her lips. “Where’s Nick?” She hadn’t taken her eyes off of him.
“Right here, love.” Nick interrupted Richard, just as he was about to touch his fingers to those lovely lips.
Damn poor timing,Richard thought and let his hand drop back to his side.
“What are you to up to?” Nick questioned, obviously noting the sexual tension in the air. He glanced from Angelina to Richard and back again, his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Not a thing,” Angelina answered. “Are you ready to go?” She took a sip of her coffee and waited for his answer.
“Almost. Richard you’re going to need to change for practice,” Nick said.
“Of course,” Richard answered, noting that Nick had changed into clothing more appropriate for the sixteenth century. “I’ll be back shortly.” He offered Angelina an amused smile before he headed back to his room to change.
“Just what are yeup to, ye wee vixen?” Nick asked once Richard was out of hearing range.
“What do you mean? I’m just having some fun,” Angelina retorted, as she dumped the rest of her coffee down the drain. Changing the subject, she said, “Nick, I thought I showed you how to make a good cup of coffee. That was terrible.” She wrinkled her nose at him and shook her head. “Apparently you’re going to need another lesson.”
“I can never make it the way ye do. I’ve tried, but I’m nae an expert like ye are.” Nick took the cup from her hand and placed it in the dishwasher. “Now, back to my original question. Dinnae think I didnae notice ye trying to change the subject.”
“What? You know me. I’ve never met a man I didn’t want to flirt with. Richard is quite handsome, I’d be a fool to miss out on the opportunity to get to know him better.” Angelina smiled coyly at Nick.
