Serena's Magic by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online

was laughing as he bent his head to hear something the woman was saying. He appeared totally civil, even tempered, and alert with those deep crystal eyes sparkling in the dim light.
    It was just that she knew what lurked beneath that elegant shield of evening attire. Flesh and blood and sinew … ruggedly, roughly, beautifully combined.
    He didn’t need to look her way. Even while her mind pleaded that it couldn’t be, she knew that it was. Shocking that her jock weight lifter could appear so at ease and intellectual and charming; but he could … he most certainly could. …
    “Serena!”
    It was not Marc who called her name with concern this time, but Jerry Kloon. She heard him, but she didn’t seem to be able to tear her eyes away from the apparition turned real before them.
    “Serena …”
    She fought as if from a swirl of mist. Her lips moved, but she couldn’t evoke sound. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to snap out of the horrified shock.
    “I—I really am terribly sorry,” she stammered to both Marc and Jerry. “I must be overtired tonight. …”
    “It’s the story,” Marc was saying suddenly. “I shouldn’t have had her tell you that story, Jerry. I told you she has a sense of ESP—I believe that she can feel for Eleanora, that she actually picks up the emotions and horrors of the past. If she ever chose to concentrate, she could probably see those lovers at the pond.”
    It was all she could do to keep from breaking into hysterical laughter. Oh, Marc, you are an absolute fool. I’m not feeling a thing in the world except for a sense of humiliation that’s about to explode me into a million tiny pieces. And, oh, Marc, I can close my eyes and see lovers, and that’s why I think I want to die at this particular second.
    Serena coughed and took a sip of her drink. “Marc, please!” she said aloud. “I’m fine, I’m really just fine. Just tired,” she murmured brightly.
    “Shall we leave?” Kloon asked solicitously.
    Marc stared at her pleadingly. An agreement hadn’t been met yet.
    I can’t sit here! He could turn around; he could glance my way.
    Marc’s hand met hers under the table. Squeezed. He needed this deal. She was torn again with terrible guilt. She supposedly cared for Marc, and even if she hadn’t as yet decided how deeply, as a friend she should be helping.
    I can’t sit here, Marc. You don’t understand. And if you did, you really wouldn’t understand. They had been dating almost a year; they had shared kisses and touches and warm evenings and days at the beach. They had come close to being lovers, and yet she had always drawn away, not certain that she could begin such a relationship so soon.
    So soon.
    If he ever knew, he would think her the worst hypocrite in the world. How could she ever explain what she didn’t understand herself? I didn’t know his name, but something was there that was natural, inevitable, right … destiny, magic, I don’t know.
    How ridiculous it all sounded in her mind.
    Oh, Marc, I’m sorry; you deserved more from a woman than that.
    She forced a smile and dipped her head to finish her drink. “I’m fine, really, and I’d just love another one of these!”
    “Great,” Jerry Kloon said agreeably. “We’ll order another round.”
    Jerry and Marc began talking. Serena was vaguely aware that they were beginning to discuss terms, and she was thrilled—but then panicked.
    The first time the men’s steaming drinks had arrived at the table, the entire room had turned to laugh and speculate.
    The incredibly real weight lifter had his back to her at the moment, but surely he would turn.
    The ladies’ room; that always worked. But even as she began to rise, she saw that she was too late. The waitress was coming.
    Oh, hell, oh, hell, oh, hell, oh, helllll.
    She saw him turn with lifted brows and a wry smile in his strong angular face as the waitress began her smoking journey. As the waitress kept approaching, she blanked, then desperately