Part 11 (1/2)

In the background the soft sound of cla.s.sical piano music played on hidden speakers, combining with the chatter of conversation. I tried to focus on that music instead of the thoughts bombarding me, fighting for attention. Aaron had moved away from us and was already engaged in conversation with a short, round man with a bald head who reminded me of Humpty Dumpty.

As if sensing my attention, Aaron turned toward me. ”Cameron, I'd like to introduce you to Dr. Carl.” Aaron was smiling, but his gaze was all business. ”He and his wife vacation on the island.”

The bald man smiled. ”Lovely to meet you.” When he held out his hand, I took it automatically. His palm was cold, damp, kind of gross.

I want you to focus on his thoughts, Lewis said. Dr. Carl is your target.

Target? Like I was some secret agent. I frowned, barely listening as Dr. Carl and Aaron talked about his plans to return to the mainland. Doesn't focusing on his thoughts defeat the purpose of blocking them? I asked.

Lewis grinned, his blue eyes twinkling. Just trust me. You have to focus on the thoughts first, focus on the person you want to block, before you can start blocking them.

Okay. I looked at Dr. Carl, focused on his faded blue gaze, the lines at the corners of his eyes, the way his lips were moving, smiling, then frowning, smiling again. He smelled odd, like cologne and old man.

Did I pay the mortgage? s.h.i.+t, I can't remember. He thought as he took a sip of the champagne he held and glanced around the room. Of course he hadn't a clue his thoughts were entering my mind, punching me over and over in the gut. Is there enough money in my account? If Karin finds out that I've lost everything she'll leave me. Does she look suspicious? She does, she's frowning...

A heavy sense of sadness weighed down upon me, sucking the energy from my body. His sadness. His gaze settled on the woman across the room, a woman much younger and better looking than him. His wife Karin. He loved her. But it wasn't a true love he felt, but more like an obsession. She was using him for his money, and he knew it, but didn't care as long as he had her.

”And how are you enjoying your time on the island, my dear?” He glanced at me.

”It's very nice,” I muttered, trying to keep up my concentration as well as talk to the man. Aaron drew him back into conversation and I was left blessedly alone.

Okay, Lewis said. Keep focusing on him, but this time imagine that ocean you imagined so well the other day.

I took a deep breath in, out, in...out. Quickly enough my body began to relax. The room faded, the people and the noise morphed into ocean waves, roaring in and out with the tide. Dr. Carl appeared before me. Instead of his suit, he was sporting a Speedo, his huge gut hanging over the tight swimwear. Why wasn't I surprised in his choice of swimwear? He smiled down at me. I cringed, grossed out.

Be gone, you fool, I muttered and pictured that wall. Those music notes coming from his head bounced away. I giggled. I couldn't help myself. He looked so ridiculous wearing a Speedo while those notes. .h.i.t him in the head. Soon enough, he faded too and I was left on my ocean island paradise alone. I was free here, in my little mind world, free to relax, free to breathe and hear what I wanted.

A sudden hand on my arm jerked me back into reality. The parlor came harshly into view, the noise of conversation overwhelming.

I blinked up at Lewis, he was frowning. Only block his thoughts. Keep focused on mine. You're fading completely away. I want you to focus on my thoughts and not anyone else's.

I rubbed my head, my skull aching some. How? This was more difficult than I'd thought and I was growing quickly frustrated. Since my wall was gone, thoughts came rus.h.i.+ng back in and I had to wade through them to find Lewis's familiar voice.

Who do you hear? he asked.

Everyone.

He settled his hand on my back, the warmth of his palm comforting. Right, so just focus on me, much like you did on that ocean last night. Focus on my thoughts. Not my voice, but my thoughts.

Startled, I looked up into Lewis's blue eyes. He was seriously going to let me read his thoughts? There was no mirth in his sincere gaze, his face completely serious. I admit the idea had me practically foaming at the mouth. To be able to read his mind, to know what he was thinking.... I felt the subtlest s.h.i.+ft, a pressure released, and then heard, G.o.d, she has gorgeous eyes.

I flushed, but didn't look away. My heart was hammering madly in my chest as I realized the importance of this moment. For the first time, I was reading his thoughts. He'd opened up to me, trusted me. It was easy to remain focused on Lewis because I as so interested in what he had to say.

His gaze slipped to my lips.

What does she taste like? Are her lips as soft as they look?

Heart swirled low in my belly. He wanted to kiss me. He was going to try soon. How I wanted him to! In that moment, no one else mattered. No thoughts entered my mind but his. I had total control.

Aaron rested his hand on my arm, breaking me from my concentration. ”Ah, and here comes your lovely wife now.” He was looking at Dr. Carl, but it was obvious he wanted me to pay attention. Ugh, I didn't to pay attention to Dr. Carl's lame thoughts. I wanted to know more about Lewis.

Block Lewis and practice on the woman's thoughts. She's coming now. I was surprised to hear Aaron's voice in my head.

My brain was thumping again. There were too many people telling me too many things. I didn't want to know what Dr. Carl was thinking, or his plastic-looking wife. I wanted to focus on Lewis and what he thought about me.

Dr. Carl's wife Karin came sashaying toward us in a tight red dress that showed off every inch of her fake b.o.o.bs and probably fake b.u.t.t. I realized this would be Emily five years from now; s.e.xy, beautiful and completely self-centered.

”h.e.l.lo, darling,” she slipped her arm through her husbands and leaned close to him. I can't believe I have to be here. Ridiculous, talking to children. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly on me. Why is her dress better than mine? How the h.e.l.l can she afford something like that? Please tell me she's not sleeping with Aaron.

I almost grimaced at the disgusting thought, but managed to force my lips into a smile. ”So nice to meet you,” I said with mock sincerity.

Really, Lewis asked. Is it really nice to meet her?

I slid Lewis an annoyed glance. He grinned down at me. You know, I could totally see you two being B.F.F.'s. Slumber parties, braiding each other's hair. You're about the same age.

I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. Would you shut up?

Ready to try again? Aaron asked, interrupting. Was it my imagination or did he sound annoyed?

I gave a discreet nod and focused on Karin, pus.h.i.+ng everyone else's thoughts to the side.

Why doesn't she love me?

Pathetic Dr.

Carl slipped through the cracks.

How will I pay my bills? Someone else was thinking.

Wonder if this winter will be cold.

Ugh! I took a deep breath in and out, and focused on my beach, on the roar of the waves, while staring blankly at the crowd in the room.

Okay, Lewis's voice broke through my defenses. Now let's switch. Focus on my voice. Just my voice.

Then talk to me, I begged. I couldn't do this alone. I needed help. I know they thought I was some genius prodigy, but I wasn't and eventually they were going to realize I couldn't do what they wanted me to do. Might as well be now.

Okay, Lewis started. I'll talk to you, about you, because you like when I think about you.

I flushed and looked away from him, taking the cup Aaron handed me, but barely noticing the man. The other voices around me dimmed. Breathe in...out. Focus on Lewis. It was so easy to focus on Lewis.

And? I asked.

And...and I like your laugh. It makes me want to smile.

I bit my lower lip, feeling giddy and warm. I couldn't look at him, afraid I'd break down and throw my arms around his neck. I took a sip of the champagne. I'd tasted alcohol before, but rarely. It was bitter and bubbled oddly on my tongue. I wasn't sure if I liked it.