Read Online Haunting Whispers by V. K. Powell - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: V. K. Powell
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drives me like a mind-altering disease? If there was any good in it, why didn’t I sense the attack? How could I miss that ?”
“Oh, sweetie, don’t be so hard on yourself. Give it a chance.”
“I can’t, Yas. I’ve left all that behind. It’s not part of my life anymore. It can’t be.”
“Aud, I know it’s—”
“I love you, Yasi, but you don’t know. You have no idea what it’s like. The logical, thinking part of me questions everything while the intuitive part of me trusts only what I feel. And when I need it most, the damn thing misfires. It’s like being schizophrenic, but fully aware that you are. How can I possibly share that with someone, with anyone ? It was bearable when I was young, with all of you. Not now. Most people can’t understand and wouldn’t accept it. Trust me, I have to do this by the rules of the real world—not woo-woo psychic universal law.”
Her pride wasn’t at stake as much as her decisions, her loyalty, and her past. She’d left everyone she loved a year ago because of a stranger and regretted it ever since. Initially fear kept her away. As time passed it became easier to stay away, more difficult to admit her mistake, and impossible to face failure. Her new path wouldn’t mesh easily with the one she’d left behind. Now she was afraid some diabolical force was drawing the two together.
Audrey rested her head on Yasi’s shoulder. “I’m so tired of running, Yas. So tired of fighting this battle alone. I know I chose it but I can’t seem to stop.”
“You were always so damn independent. We can’t do everything ourselves. At some point we all need help. Don’t you know anyone you can trust?”
After everything else she’d shared with Yasi, what was one more revelation? “There is one possibility. A detective named Rae Butler. She already thinks I’m withholding information. Perhaps I should trust her. She’s very…” How could she describe Rae and the feelings she tried to ignore?
“Wait a minute. Wasn’t she that instructor during your class—the one you liked but wouldn’t admit it?”
“Yes.” God, she hadn’t meant for that to come out. Audrey had forgotten she’d told Yasi about meeting Rae. Then it had been general conversation about someone she’d probably never have contact with again. “I mean, what the hell. Yes, and I still like her. She’s competent, reliable, trustworthy, and—”
“Sounds like you’re vetting her for a job. You’re attracted to her, aren’t you?” Leave it to Yasi to nail the situation with the fewest words. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
Neither did she. And simply telling herself not to feel anything for Rae was like waving the proverbial red flag in front of an angry bull. Rae remained in her mind, consuming more space as they spent more time together. The feelings came whether she wanted them to or not.
Every time she encountered Rae it was more difficult to misdirect or to simply withhold, harder to keep the distance her life demanded. She wanted to tell Rae the truth, to enlist her professional assistance. What if she was like other cops Audrey had come across—intolerant, heartless, and callous? The picture didn’t fit Rae Butler.
Yasi went into the kitchen and put on a kettle for tea, leaving Audrey alone with her thoughts. She always knew exactly the right thing to do for her. It was like being of one mind with someone who truly knew you and loved you in spite of your faults. Would she ever experience that with a lover? A seductive picture of Rae sweaty and flushed, brushing unruly curls from her forehead, flashed through her mind. The image ignited a shiver of arousal.
“Here.” Yasi handed her a cup of chamomile tea. “Drink, then we’ll sleep and talk again in the morning. You look exhausted.”
“You mean you’re spending the night?”
“Try to get rid of me. I’ll need a T-shirt to sleep in.”
“Got you covered.”
Yasi laughed but Audrey was too distracted to
“Oh, sweetie, don’t be so hard on yourself. Give it a chance.”
“I can’t, Yas. I’ve left all that behind. It’s not part of my life anymore. It can’t be.”
“Aud, I know it’s—”
“I love you, Yasi, but you don’t know. You have no idea what it’s like. The logical, thinking part of me questions everything while the intuitive part of me trusts only what I feel. And when I need it most, the damn thing misfires. It’s like being schizophrenic, but fully aware that you are. How can I possibly share that with someone, with anyone ? It was bearable when I was young, with all of you. Not now. Most people can’t understand and wouldn’t accept it. Trust me, I have to do this by the rules of the real world—not woo-woo psychic universal law.”
Her pride wasn’t at stake as much as her decisions, her loyalty, and her past. She’d left everyone she loved a year ago because of a stranger and regretted it ever since. Initially fear kept her away. As time passed it became easier to stay away, more difficult to admit her mistake, and impossible to face failure. Her new path wouldn’t mesh easily with the one she’d left behind. Now she was afraid some diabolical force was drawing the two together.
Audrey rested her head on Yasi’s shoulder. “I’m so tired of running, Yas. So tired of fighting this battle alone. I know I chose it but I can’t seem to stop.”
“You were always so damn independent. We can’t do everything ourselves. At some point we all need help. Don’t you know anyone you can trust?”
After everything else she’d shared with Yasi, what was one more revelation? “There is one possibility. A detective named Rae Butler. She already thinks I’m withholding information. Perhaps I should trust her. She’s very…” How could she describe Rae and the feelings she tried to ignore?
“Wait a minute. Wasn’t she that instructor during your class—the one you liked but wouldn’t admit it?”
“Yes.” God, she hadn’t meant for that to come out. Audrey had forgotten she’d told Yasi about meeting Rae. Then it had been general conversation about someone she’d probably never have contact with again. “I mean, what the hell. Yes, and I still like her. She’s competent, reliable, trustworthy, and—”
“Sounds like you’re vetting her for a job. You’re attracted to her, aren’t you?” Leave it to Yasi to nail the situation with the fewest words. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
Neither did she. And simply telling herself not to feel anything for Rae was like waving the proverbial red flag in front of an angry bull. Rae remained in her mind, consuming more space as they spent more time together. The feelings came whether she wanted them to or not.
Every time she encountered Rae it was more difficult to misdirect or to simply withhold, harder to keep the distance her life demanded. She wanted to tell Rae the truth, to enlist her professional assistance. What if she was like other cops Audrey had come across—intolerant, heartless, and callous? The picture didn’t fit Rae Butler.
Yasi went into the kitchen and put on a kettle for tea, leaving Audrey alone with her thoughts. She always knew exactly the right thing to do for her. It was like being of one mind with someone who truly knew you and loved you in spite of your faults. Would she ever experience that with a lover? A seductive picture of Rae sweaty and flushed, brushing unruly curls from her forehead, flashed through her mind. The image ignited a shiver of arousal.
“Here.” Yasi handed her a cup of chamomile tea. “Drink, then we’ll sleep and talk again in the morning. You look exhausted.”
“You mean you’re spending the night?”
“Try to get rid of me. I’ll need a T-shirt to sleep in.”
“Got you covered.”
Yasi laughed but Audrey was too distracted to
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