Free Bound by Time by A.D. Trosper

her long for him? After the evening she had spent with him, her heart ached to see him again and that frightened her. She’d never felt anything like it. Isobel had tried dating and even had a couple of semi-serious relationships but could never make a deep connection. What she felt for Damien felt obsessive in some way, and Isobel was sure that it wasn’t healthy.
    The older man smiled gently. “Please, indulge an old man. My nephew has seen fit to cook enough food to feed an army. You will likely save me from death by overeating.”
    He cooked too? Gorgeous guys like Damien who cooked, loved books, and rescued young women from hallucinations during thunderstorms just didn’t exist. Except he did. Isobel’s heart did a flip flop at the thought of seeing him again and healthy or not, haunted house or not, she relented. “Sure.”
    Malevolent anger washed over her from the window the minute she stepped off the porch. Trying to ignore it, she crossed the lawn to the small break in the bushes. It would be a relief to be away from the house for a while.
    The older man smiled. “I’m Aiden.”
    “I’m Isobel.”
    “Yes, I know.”

 

     
    I sobel watched Aiden as they walked into the house. He seemed familiar as well. She had seen him before he became her neighbor although she couldn’t place where.
    Damien looked up when she came into the kitchen. His eyes swept over her, searching for any injuries. He’d felt the spike in energy and spent the day torn between rushing over there and staying away. She had to acknowledge her power before he could reveal anything of importance. Only if she were in mortal danger could he break that rule. He had no choice at this point except to wait. Aiden had finally said he would check on her to ease his mind. Damien hadn’t expected him to invite her over.
    Damien’s surprise at seeing her was evident. Uh-oh, he wasn’t in on the invitation. For a moment, she considered making an excuse to leave. Then Damien smiled at her and glanced at Aiden. “We’re having a dinner guest?”
    Aiden walked to a chair at the large table in the eat-in kitchen space. “I thought perhaps she would enjoy a break from…being alone.”
    Isobel eyed the older man. What had he almost said? Shaking off the feeling that she’d missed something, Isobel turned to Damien. “Can I help?”
    Damien shook his head, warmth in his blue eyes. “You’re the guest; you’re supposed to be entertained. Besides, I am almost finished.”
    Isobel stared into those eyes—her heart ached as if it knew something she didn’t. It felt like coming home, but that didn’t make sense. Damien turned away, but not before she caught a look of longing in his expression.
    “Isobel.” Aiden motioned with his hand, distracting her. “Come. Keep an old man company.”
    She smiled and took a seat beside him. He didn’t look that old. Maybe late fifties. “Tell me, what is a young woman like you doing all alone in such a big house?”
    “My father’s job took my parents overseas for the next six months. I’m home from college for the summer so I’m just hanging out keeping track of the place and feeding the cat.
    “Doesn’t sound like much of a summer.” Aiden’s eyes searched her face.
    Isobel shrugged. “I like quiet.”
    Damien listened as she talked with Aiden. The news that she was going to be alone all summer both relieved and bothered him. It would make it easier when it came time to tell her everything. When she was ready to hear the truth. In the meantime, it made it easier for Xapar to get into her head.
    It took several trips for Damien to bring all of the food. Soon the table was laden with roasted chicken, sautéed vegetables, baked potatoes, warm sourdough bread, salad, and a tureen of soup.
    Isobel’s eyes swept the platters and bowls. “Your uncle was right; you did cook enough to feed an army. What’s the occasion?”
    Damien smiled as he cut the chicken into servings. “No occasion. I like to