Part 10 (2/2)

She laughed, but didn't look me in the eyes, instead focusing on the floor. ”Right.”

She was jealous, obviously. I didn't blame her. Aaron was awesome and I was taking his attention away from her. But she probably had no idea that Aaron was practically an uncle, so of course he felt a connection with me. ”Listen, Aaron knew my dad...”

Her black eyes darted up to me. ”So?”

So I can't help it if you're jealous.

She narrowed her gaze into a glare. ”I'm not jealous, for your information.” She took a step back. ”Just be prepared when he tosses you aside for someone new.”

She left me standing there in shock, hugging the bedpost. Surely Aaron wouldn't toss me aside. We were practically related. She was just jealous, I repeated to myself. In fact it made me feel a little good, in a twisted way, that finally someone was jealous of me. Aaron thought of me as a daughter, it was obvious. And little miss dark and dour couldn't stand that. I sighed. I really hated having enemies.

”You ready?” Lewis appeared in the doorway looking like a model in a magazine.

b.u.t.terflies fluttered in my stomach, sighing with oppressed l.u.s.t, those little s.l.u.ts. He wore a black suit that made his blue eyes pop. I noticed almost immediately that the blue s.h.i.+rt underneath matched my dress. Had he worn that s.h.i.+rt on purpose? I took my lower lip between my teeth. Dang, he looked great. I was gawking, I realized and quickly looked away.

”Yeah, I'm ready.” My voice came out a little breathless. I wished I could read his mind, wished I knew what he was thinking...

He cringed, his hands jerking to his head.

”What is it?”

”Nothing, just...a little headache all of a sudden.” He frowned, his gaze piercing mine. ”Did you try to read my mind?”

Confused, I shook my head. ”I don't think so. I don't know how.” I'd wanted to read his mind, but I hadn't, had I? So why was I flus.h.i.+ng like I was guilty.

He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. ”It's nothing, it's gone. Come on.” He took my hand and I practically fell into him. My body hitting his in an embarra.s.sing display of awkwardness.

”Sorry,” I muttered, pus.h.i.+ng away. ”I'm not use to heels.” I blushed at the admission and seeing my red face, Lewis laughed.

”All right, then just hold onto me.”

Yes, sir, no problem there. I'd gladly cling to Lewis. I looked down at the carpet and slipped my arm through his, my hand sliding over the smooth, cool material of his jacket. ”I didn't realize this would be so formal.”

He shrugged and led me into the hall. ”We're always kind of formal.”

In other words they were rich. Rich people were always formal, at least in my experience. I frowned, wondering once again how they made their money. ”What, exactly does Aaron do?”

”You mean for work?”

”Yes.”

He shrugged. ”To be honest, Aaron comes from family money. His parents were rich, his grandparents. Railroad, oil, something or another. But don't worry, I mean...no one's a sn.o.b or anything.”

”Oh, okay.” But it wasn't okay. I wasn't used to dressing so fancy, or using more than 3 pieces of silverware at dinner. I'd look like a total dork. Even now I could barely stand in heels. And please, I knew more than anyone how sn.o.bby people with money could act.

Lewis rested his hand on mine, drawing my attention to him. He looked confused for a moment, his dark brows drawn together. Our steps slowed as I waited to see what was bothering him. His lips parted as if he was going to say something, but instead he shook his head, remaining stubbornly silent.

”What?” I asked, feeling completely self-conscious. ”Why are you looking at me like that?”

He gave me a half-smile, his checks flus.h.i.+ng. ”It's just...I'm not used to reading body signals.”

We paused at the top of the steps. ”What do you mean?”

He looked away, as if he was suddenly shy. ”I'm not reading your thoughts and I meant it when I told you I'd stopped. But...now I'm wondering what the heck you're thinking and I don't like not knowing. Are you flus.h.i.+ng because you're nervous? Excited?”

In love with you. I grinned, relieved his problems weren't anything more serious. ”Now you know how I felt when I met you.”

We started down the steps slowly, both of us wanting to prolong the moment. ”So, I guess we're even then.”

I bit my lower lip to keep from grinning. I loved when he teased me and we'd been so serious studying meditation and blocking thoughts the last few days that it hadn't happened often. ”I guess so.”

”Cameron, Lewis,” Aaron called up to us. ”You ready?”

I was disappointed that my time with Lewis was over but eager to try my new ability. More eager to impress Aaron. I'd been meditating a few times a day, but still, I felt the tingle of nerves as Lewis and I arrived in the foyer. They treated me like some sort of prodigy. I wasn't complaining...much. It was odd going from being ashamed to proud of what I could do. But I couldn't help but worry I'd disappoint Aaron and then...who knew. He'd toss me from the house in shame? Find a new toy, as Olivia had said?

”You look lovely,” Aaron said and kissed my cheek in a fatherly show of affection.

I flushed, unused to compliments. ”Thanks.”

He pulled back, but his spicy cologne lingered around me, comforting. ”Now, there are only a few people here, no need to worry. Lewis will help you out.”

I nodded, nerves making my stomach churn.

Aaron took my hand, pulling me away from Lewis. ”You'll be fine. Just make polite conversation and try to keep that wall in place.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and led me toward the living room, or parlor as they called it here. I looked back, needing to see Lewis. He smiled at me, his presence giving me strength.

Before we made it into the room, a tall woman in a short, tight black dress came toward us. She didn't seem to have any problem walking in her heels, which were a good inch taller than mine. She was thin with tanned skin and long, black hair. Indian? I wasn't sure. She was gorgeous and could've easily been a model. Was everyone here beautiful? I s.h.i.+fted, my stupid insecurity rus.h.i.+ng back.

”Cameron,” Aaron started. ”This is Deborah, she helps around the house, sort of a dorm mom. If you need anything, she'll be happy to help you.”

Dorm mom? As if I'd believe that this woman, with her supermodel looks, was a glorified nanny. And how many children were here, anyway? Besides that small child I'd seen the first day and Olivia, I'd met no one else. She smiled, but her dark eyes remained cold. Without a word to me, she leaned closer to Aaron and whispered something I couldn't hear. The way they whispered, the way she slipped her arm through his, I couldn't help but wonder if they were dating. She sashayed away without a goodbye or nice to meet you and I was left to wonder who she really was.

Aaron took my arm and pulled me into the room. Lewis had said only a few normal people would be here, but there were at least ten guests gathered in the large room. I swallowed my nerves and pasted a smile upon my face. A rush of thoughts and conversation bombarded my mind. After having gone days in silence, the sudden invasion was almost too much. My skull seemed to expand, my brain aching.

I would have staggered back if Aaron hadn't been holding me upright.

”You all right?” Lewis was suddenly by my side, his face showing his concern.

When he held out his hand, I took it. ”Yeah, just not use to all the thoughts. Didn't sleep well last night. I could have sworn I heard someone crying.”

”The wind,” Aaron said, smiling. ”It's a creepy sound sometimes. But you'll get used to it.”

Lewis gently squeezed my hand, drawing my attention to him. Stay by me, all right?

I nodded, pushed away from Aaron and made my way into the s.p.a.ce. Needing time to gather myself, I looked away from the elegant guests and studied the room where I'd done my meditation exercises with Lewis and Aaron. A fire was crackling warmly in the large stone hearth. The curtains covering the floor to ceiling windows were tied back, showing the quickly setting sun and the expanse of the front yard.

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