Chapter 9 - Lex

I am yawning as I sit at my desk, going through my emails. It has been a long day and I cannot wait for it to end. It had been one of those days where there was one thing to deal with after another. In a way, I am thankful that the day was so busy. I hardly had time to brood over Nic. I've been feeling terribly out of sorts after my date with Nic yesterday. I keep telling myself that it is the lack of sleep and the sexual frustration that is making me feel this way, but I know that is something more. The kiss we shared shook me to the very core. I felt so powerful, so humbled, holding her in my arms. My dragon was beside himself with joy after the kiss. When she refused to come home with me, I don't know if I was more disappointed or my dragon.

I was so damn sure that she'd agree to go back to my place after that kiss. Everything had gone according to plan, right down to our kiss on TOTR. I had set out to charm and seduce her, but had not expected being thoroughly enchanted by her. It was pure pleasure watching Nic's face light up like a child opening its Christmas presents every time she came across something new. I saw my city through her eyes, and I must admit it was thoroughly refreshing. By the end of the day, I couldn't fool myself any longer that I was merely physically attracted to her.

The ride back to her place was weird and awkward. The easy banter we had shared throughout the day had vanished.

I still don't understand why she said no. She clearly doesn't want a relationship, and neither do I. There's so much chemistry between us that the air practically sizzles when we are in the same room. Isn't she even the least bit curious to find out if the sex is going to be as amazing as we both have been imagining?

But the kiss and her refusal to sleep with me aren't the only reasons I am feeling out of sorts. Something changed after our kiss, and not just between Nic and I. I have been feeling as if some serious peril is lurking just out of view. There is something out there with malicious intent towards me or mine. Not knowing what the danger is, it's only adding to my worry. All my senses have gone into overdrive, making me edgy.

As the most powerful amongst shifters, we have a keenly developed sixth sense of sorts for sniffing out danger. But this sense doesn't really tell us what the danger is or how to take measures to prevent it from harming us.

If that's the case, I wonder if the guys are also getting the sense that danger is looming overhead. I need to talk to them. I quickly shoot a group email asking the guys to come over to my place. What I have to discuss can't be done in the office or The Sitting Duck.

I soon receive replies from all them agreeing to come over. The thing about having friends who are more like brothers is that you don't have to explain what you're feeling, which is good most of the times, but they also see and feel a lot more than you want them to.

I'm not certain of my feelings towards Nic, not after the kiss. My dragon keeps insisting that she's my soul mate, and that scares me.

Nic is not my soul mate. She can't be. I don't want a soul mate.

After replying to all the emails that need my personal attention, I am done for the day.

I am going to go ahead to my place and wait for the guys.