Talisman 2 - The Sapphire Talisman by Brenda Pandos Read Free Book Online Page B

feet—another lavish mystery. A vast array of French bath gels were perched on the tub ledge in a decadent display. I flipped the tap on, adjusted the temperature, and sifted through the different bottles, smelling each one. The sandalwood fragrance won the sniff test. The rest would be going home with me in my bag and used in the near future.
    I sank into the tub until the hot water was up to my chin, pressed the buttons on the side of the tub, and felt the Jacuzzi jets spring into action. The pampering sprays melted the tension in my body—until I remembered I was going to visit my grandmother today. Nervousness rattled my insides like fall leaves fluttering in the wind. Would she remember me? Could she help me put together the pieces of my broken childhood?
    I imagined a bitter old woman, deeply hurt by the fact her only surviving family members never came to visit her, or worse, riddled with dementia unable to remember the past or even who I was. I decided to stop worrying over something I couldn’t control. Whatever was supposed to happen today would and our conversation would help me; it had to.
    I sank further into the tub until the water level reached my earlobes. Bursting bubbles crackled in my ears and reminded me of the song Nicholas played on the guitar the night before. Our romantic evening in the living room lasted all of ten minutes before I so rudely fell asleep. The fire, his song, the comfy couch, and his peace were a deadly combination for my exhausted state. I remembered fighting with all my might to stay lucid, but my humanity won out, and the sleep that overtook me never felt so good.
    Suddenly, Nicholas’ happiness floated through the door and surrounded me with love. I flipped the drain open and crawled out into a cozy floor-length terrycloth robe, anxious to see him. Wrapping my wet, dishwater blonde locks in a towel, I sat at the powder table. As I quickly applied mascara, I wondered what Nicholas ever saw in me. I felt so plain—boring hazel eyes, heart-shaped face, small simple stature. There was nothing remotely sexy about me.
    After dressing I grabbed my flower and headed into the living area. Nicholas sat at the table drinking coffee and reading the L.A. Times behind the rest of the gerbera daisies that were nestled in a huge arrangement. I blinked and he disappeared, but in the next instant I felt my body encased in his arms, his lips inches from mine.
    “You took too long,” he said warmly. His sweet breath tickled my nose and melted my knees. “I missed you.”
    I leaned in and caressed my lips eagerly against his , unable to wait any longer. He wrapped me into a tight hug and nuzzled my ear.
    “If you start that — ” Nicholas said playfully while kissing my temple , “ — we’ll be here all day.”
    “So,” I purred and wiggled into his chest. “I don’t mind.”
    Nicholas snorted and I went in for the kill with a kiss that made us both dizzy. When we came up for air I swayed a little. Nicholas, with a wanting gleam in his eye, quickly ushered me to the table, struggling against his inner desire to take things further. I smiled. It was good to know that under all his hardcore chivalry was a man—a man who felt real, manly feelings.
    Heavenly mouth-watering smells wafted from under metal lids set before me. Nicholas placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me to a have a seat. I reached over to discover what was beneath the closest one, but he stopped me.
    “Coffee first.” He placed a paper cup from my beloved Starbucks within my palms, which I took and held ardently. With a sly grin, he waited a second before he revealed the first dish. “Here we have eggs B enedict, fresh peaches with cream, and turkey sausage.” I let out a yum sound. “If you’re still hungry after that — ” he removed another lid, “there are waffles with blueberries or biscuits and gravy. Your choice.”
    “All for me?” I asked, stretching my neck forward to gape at the