His aura was beautiful, intense and otherworldly. Instead of feeling intimidated and scared by his ethereal, sensually dominant presence, she felt cal... and reassured. He was wearing a black face mask that covered the top half of his face; with his slick-backed raven hair, luxurious three-piece blue suit and sexy brown double monk dress shoes, he looked like Aiden’s wet dream come true. His mere presence next to her at the bar was making her so fucking wet from imminent desire.“How does it feel. "Pleasures of the flesh are a vice and one I often indulged. Just as you have, boy." Yes sir," I said, clearing my throat and thinking this was about the strangest conversation I'd ever had."I wondered why you would come so highly recommended," he continued. "Aside from your genetics and potential intelligence, I had to ask myself why Talis would pick you." Ummm..." I shrugged as we entered a room, but unlike the hospital rooms with which I'd become familiar. It was brightly lit, for one thing,. "Then you don't have to be afraid anymore," I promised her, "Because that someone is sat right here in front of you. This is us just starting out. First day at school stuff. Me, at thirty and you at eighteen."Heather looked up surprised."You're how old?" Just gone thirty," I smiled, "Didn't you know?"She shook her head. "No, well, I mean, I imagined you were a little older than Jimmy. He's what? About twenty or so?" Does the age difference bother you?" No, not really, but," she frowned. The tears were running down his cheeks in an almost continuous stream.“I lie awake trying to think how I can protect you from that. But it turns out the thing I most needed to protect you from was your own sister and her friends. They tied you up – locked you in the closet – left you in there for hours. I can’t believe...”I sighed and looked at Dad. He was leaning back with his head against the headrest and his eyes were closed. His cheeks glistened. It was like he’d been holding himself.