CHAPTER TWO
The strong wind returned with a severe vengeance, shoving Jessica backward onto her balcony. She landed on her butt, the resounding shock stinging throughout her entire body. Odder still, she could have sworn she’d heard a familiar voice screaming a single word, “No!”
No, not just a familiar voice, Nick’s voice.
Jessica pulled herself from the floor, glancing skeptically around the dimly lit room. Her mind was playing tricks on her, she finally decided. She plopped her aching backside onto the soft mattress, taking the pill from her drawer. As she poised the little sliver of escape to her lips, a glint of the elaborately sculpted full length mirror in the corner of her room caught her eye. She turned toward the massive bronze frame, and the pill tumbled from her fingers.
The mirror seemed to be roiling, bubbling, expanding, drawing her to it. She stood, slowly closing the gap between her and the shiny surface, timidly reaching toward her own fun-house distorted image. As she made contact with the cool glass, a hand plunged through from the other side, grasping her wrist. Screaming, she struggled to pull free from the solid grip. A garbled mumble resonated, seemingly from beyond the smooth facade. Whoever, or whatever, held her arm was trying to communicate with her. Just as quickly as the hand had grabbed her, it also set her free. Jessica considered running from the room, but as she took a last glance, her image faded, the shifting glass falling still. There stood Nick, his hand still outstretched toward her. Trembling, she grabbed his fingers. This time his touch was gentle. A familiar lopsided grin crossed his face as he tried to speak. Again, the distorted murmur returned.
Jessica pressed herself against the cool glass, turning her ear toward it to hear his words.
“Don’t do it.” Nick’s voice was now as real as the hand she held.
She pressed her forehead to the glass, releasing a sigh, fogging his image. “I can’t live without you. I want to be with you.” His laughter surprised her, prompting a renegade tear to tumble down her cheek. She leaned back to see his face. “You think that’s funny?”
He shook his head emphatically, his dark hair tumbling across his forehead. “No, not at all, but think this through. If you kill yourself, we won’t exactly be in the same realm.”
Realization, heaven and hell, all settled on her at once. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak, couldn’t even think. She simply stared, lost and forlorn, at the man she loved. Pressing her entire body against the mirror, she was desperate to feel him. Aloud, Jessica prayed, “God, please, just one more night.” Her eyes clamped shut in an attempt to hold back more tears.
The smooth surface turned warm, the scent of his cologne filling her senses. Nick’s arms circled her waist, pulling her against his solid frame. When she opened her eyes, they both stood in the hotel room, the mirror gone. Hope and joy filled her heart as she stared up at him. This time the tears trailed to a huge smile on her face.
“How…,” she muttered before his finger slid to her lips.
“That doesn’t matter. We just need to make the most of the time we’re given.” His lips met hers in a searing bond.
Jessica pulled back just a bit. “I love you so very much.”
An impish grin masked the passion on his face. “You know I’m a sure thing, right?” She swatted him playfully and the fervor returned to his features. “I love you.”
With no hesitation, she pulled him backward toward the bed, but they didn’t make it that far. Nick tugged her to the floor, sliding down next to her on the furry rug in front of the fireplace. The gas logs burst to life on their own, pulling the chill from the air, adding a soft glow to the dark room.
They wasted no time, falling into sync with one another. Elated, Jessica reveled in his touch, his embrace, his kiss, and his passion. Renewed strength and fervor fueled the love and fire between them.