Free Cataclysm by Karice Bolton Page B

which if I leave now shouldn’t be too late,” I said grinning.
    “All right!” she wailed playfully. “I get it. I’ll be here waiting for you bright and early.”
    “Don’t count on too bright and early.” Giving Matilda a few more pets, I longed for the moment when she would be with us again. “I’m not much of an early riser unless it’s an emergency.”
    Stopping at the door, I turned to her.
    “You aren’t planning anything more than surveillance, right? You aren’t completely there yet, you know.”
    “Promise.” She nodded.
    “Okay, pinky swear.” I motioned to her before I left her and Matilda for the evening.

 
Chapter 6
     
     
    The morning came much quicker than I had anticipated, and my idea of sleeping in didn’t come to fruition. Athen was already downstairs with Cyril. He wanted to waste no time getting Cyril out to meet more families.
    “Hey, sweetie,” I kissed Athen quickly. I didn’t want to rub it into Cyril even the slightest, although, I didn’t see him around anywhere. Always feeling like every day might be our last, I didn’t want to miss out on an opportunity for affection. Going fifty years without it will do that to a person.
    Athen let his arms slip right around my waist, and he pulled me in closer to him. His tight grip, around my body, brought me to an immediate place of happiness. Athen’s lips fell onto mine, gently kissing me as if this moment could be our last morning together. Closing my eyes, I enjoyed everything the moment had to offer. When he slowly released his spirit from mine, I looked up to see his eyes, seeing the affection so deeply.
    “Is everything alright?” I whispered, still in a bit of a haze from our encounter. I hoped that sensation would linger. It was too intoxicating to let it go.
    “Just be careful around that Noah guy.” He smiled lightly, his eyes full of mischief.
    “Are you serious? Do we have a Lilith situation going on, a tad bit of jealousy maybe?” I teased him, gently. “Seriously though, whatever gave you that idea?”
    “Nothing that you did. I promise you that, but I happened to do some research of my own.” His tone turned serious, and I couldn’t fathom what kind of research could bring him to worry.
    “I know nothing would ever tear us apart, but I think we need to be sensitive about something that we never could’ve guessed.” He winked at me, as the electricity began zipping through my body once more. “We’ve just got to be gentle with something, that’s all.”
    He grabbed a piece of paper out of his back pocket and unfolded it, presenting it to me with a bit of hesitancy. Looking over the wrinkled photo, I saw a similarity in the face of the woman looking back at me.
    “Yikes, that’s eerie,” I mumbled to Athen. “That kind of explains things, doesn’t it?”
    “Yeah, the poor guy. It’s not his fault, and I know you’d never go there, but I wanted you to be aware.” Athen caressed my shoulders. “From what I’ve heard, he’s a good guy. Actually, he’s an amazing guy. He’s only being modest when he downplays what he and Vanessa accomplished in their time together.”
    Shaking my head, I traced the figure staring back at me.
    “How can she resemble me so closely?” Pausing, I thought carefully about what to say next.
    “I’m not sure. I mean, she’s not like a dead ringer or anything. But, I could see where you could certainly remind him of her.” His lips tightened a bit. “I’d let Arie know, too, so she doesn’t tease him or anything if he seems a little attached.”
    “Totally, but Athen,” I paused. “I can’t believe how thoughtful you’re being. You always say I’m the nice one. I don’t know about that.”
    “Well, I’d still take him out if he tried anything,” Athen said, grinning. “You’d probably try to talk sense into him. That’s the difference.”
    His eyes were sparkling, and it made it difficult to leave him and Cyril. I wasn’t looking forward to