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A.O.E.M.: Matchmaker
Aubrey Ross
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2005 Aubrey Ross
An Authorized Excerpt
Chapter One
Falls Church, Virginia
Tapping his thumb against the glass tabletop, Sam Burton swept the mostly deserted restaurant with an impatient gaze. He’d done his best to clear his schedule for the afternoon, but fate conspired against him. Where the hell is Yamir?
The waitress set a large plate of food in front of the only other customer, a dark-haired man sitting on the other side of the room.
The main doors opened and sunlight spilled into the bistro. A tall, slender woman emerged from the glow. Her upswept hair glistened, a mesmerizing combination of silver and gold. The door swung shut behind her and the shimmering dissipated.
Sam glanced from the hostess to the dark-haired man. Hadn’t they noticed the -- sparkling?
The woman approached the smiling hostess and said something Sam couldn’t hear. His pulse leapt. Heat coursed through his veins and an unfamiliar yearning coiled in his abdomen. An erection wasn’t far behind, but he didn’t understand the other sensations.
Turning from the hostess with a smile, the woman started toward him. Desire slammed into Sam, making him adjust his position on his chair. Sleek black boots and burgundy stockings showcased the longest legs he’d ever seen. Her narrow skirt ended at mid-thigh, which left miles of those legs on display. After stealing a peek at her trim waist and gently curved breasts, he focused on her face. Better late than never. A guilty smile quirked one corner of his mouth.
Dramatically arched brows drew his attention to her bright, blue eyes. Even in the dimly lit dining room he could make out their vivid color. A pert nose, sculpted cheekbones, and full red lips… Damn, she was gorgeous.
She picked her way through the empty tables, her gaze fixed on him. The dark-haired man followed her progress while pretending not to stare.
“Mr. Burton?” Her voice played across his senses like warm summer rain.
Shaking away the distraction, Sam stood and extended his hand. “I’m Sam Burton, but you don’t look much like Yamir.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.” Her devastating smile flashed again, framing even white teeth. She shook his hand, her grip warm and firm.
Sam pulled out her chair, then fisted his hands, resisting the urge to bury his fingers in her hair. What the hell is wrong with me? He’d seen beautiful women before. He cleared his throat and returned to his seat.
“It’s no disappointment, I assure you.” He had to stop gawking or he’d end up with a drink tossed in his face. Still, he couldn’t drag his gaze away. “You are from the agency, aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir. I --”
“Please, call me Sam.”
“Sam.” She inclined her head and he pictured her in an iridescent ball gown, candlelight reflecting off her smooth skin. Regal and ethereal, she belonged to another place and time. “My name is Marissa. I realize you contacted Yamir, but the agency felt I was better qualified to meet your needs.”
His eyes widened and he licked his lips. Was this all there was to it? He’d expected a long drawn out process with more than one candidate. She laughed and the air around her sparkled. Tingles erupted across his forearms as the sparkles showered his skin.
“I’m a Matchmaker, not your next meal.”
“A Matchmaker?” He groaned inwardly. Pull it together, Burton. You sound like an imbecile! Squaring his shoulders, he braced himself for her impact on his libido and looked into her eyes. Specks of pink flickered in her gaze. “The agency sent you to process my application?”
“Something like that.”
“Are you, by any chance, related to Yamir?”
“We’re here to talk about you.”
Yamir was an Elf or a Faerie, some sort of forest being. Sam knew Marissa wasn’t human, he just couldn’t determine what she was.
“Okay, I can see this is bothering you.” She rested her elbows on the table and cupped her chin in one hand. Her voice fell to barely a whisper. “I’m a Faerie, you’re a Dichotomy, and we’re here to begin the process of finding you a mate.”
Her patronizing tone snapped him out of his hormone induced stupor. “What do you need to get started?”
“How did you hear about the agency?”
“My sisters manage a nightclub called The Carousel. Yamir and Bianca are regulars when they aren’t on Chimera Island. Bianca told Evette how she’d met Yamir through the A. O. E. M. and my older brothers, Ray and Delano, recently visited Chimera.”
“I should’ve made the connection. I see the resemblance now.”
“Do you know my brothers or my sisters?” He chuckled. “I don’t think I look much like Evette.”
“I met Ray while he was on Chimera. He’s quite a character. How is Chelsea adjusting to… everything?”
“Very well.” Chelsea was wonderful for his older brothers and they doted on her. Ray had been focused and content since his return from Chimera Island. Delano smiled frequently and even laughed from time to time. “I’ll tell her you asked about her.”
“Have you considered visiting Chimera? It’s by far our most successful program. The tropical location and relaxing atmosphere lead to all sorts of adventures.”
“There’s no way. When Ray trotted off to Chimera without Delano’s cooperation, Thane was furious.”
“Thane is your twin?”
“Yes. Obviously he’s nocturnal and I’m the day-dweller.” Twin was a human term, but it was a relative equivalent to a Dichotomy’s nature. Thane existed as pure energy during the day and emerged each night. Sam reverted to energy at night and took on a physical form during the day. Still, they were two halves of the same being.
“I was under the impression Nocturnal Dichotomies are dominant. Doesn’t Thane have to initiate a soul bonding?”
He folded his hands on the tabletop and sighed. She appeared to have a grasp of the challenges facing him. Hopefully that would be the first step toward overcoming them.
A waitress approached, postponing his explanation. She asked what they wanted to drink. “I have an appointment in less than an hour,” he told her and ordered his food as well. When the server departed, he turned back to Marissa and continued. “If I wait for Thane to initiate a soul bonding, I’ll be too old to participate.”
“I see. Is there some reason he’s reluctant to search for a mate?”
“Have you heard of the Discernment?” She shook her head. “Certain Dichotomies are able to create a telepathic connection which allows potential mates to meet on a metaphysical level.”
“Could you translate that into English, please?” His gaze focused on her lips. The sensual shape, the lush red sheen, she had a truly amazing mouth.
Clearing his throat, he fought back the unwanted awareness. She was the Matchmaker, not a potential match. “During a Discernment, three souls touch. It’s a way of determining compatibility. A female must be compatible with both halves of our nature if we hope to reproduce.”
“How do you know if the female is compatible?”
“By the intensity of the pleasure.”
She grinned. “Ah, it’s that sort of connection.”
He glanced away from her knowing smile and his gaze collided with the dark stare of the other customer. Sam narrowed his eyes and the other man looked away. “Thane and I participated in a Discernment.” Returning his attention to his companion, he continued, “The results were rather sketchy. Delano warned us that he couldn’t pronounce the Discernment a success, but we didn’t listen to him.”
“What is Delano’s role in the Discernment?”
“He’s a Guide. He establishes the connection and objectively monitors the female’s responsiveness.”
Her brow arched. “That must be fun for him.”
“He’s one of the few Dichotomies who still moves in the gift. His services are in great demand.”
“So, the Discernment was indecisive, but you pursued the female anyway.”
“Yes.” He paused, staring at the tabletop as he debated what to tell her. Marissa needed to know about Kayla, but he still wanted to throttle the little bitch every time he thought about her.
“I thought you were pressed for time.” She softened the criticism with a playful smile.
“A soul bonding is different than having sex. Kayla willingly, no, eagerly, had sex with each of us. But when the time came to bond, she wanted nothing to do with us. Well, that’s not exactly true. She refused to bind herself permanently to someone like Thane.”
The waitress returned with their drinks and assured him his food would only take a few minutes longer. Marissa unwrapped her herbal tea bag and dropped it into a mug of steaming water. Her long tapered fingers fascinated him. He’d never thought hands were sexy before, but every move she made triggered images in his mind. He saw her trailing those long fingers across his chest, exploring his abdomen, circling his cock…
“Tell me about Thane. Why did Kayla find him so disagreeable?”
Sam chuckled. “Everyone finds him disagreeable.” He took a moment to compose his thoughts. He didn’t want to give her the wrong idea, but Thane could be a regular pain in the ass. “Thane has always been difficult. You might love them or hate them, but you’ll never be indifferent to a Nocturnal Dichotomy. Thane manages Pyrite.”
“Pyrite?” Her delicate brows drew together. “What is his interest in fool’s gold?”
“You’ve never heard of Pyrite?”
“Sorry.”
“They’re a hugely popular rock band. Thane has been their business manager since Burton and Associates financed their first tour thirty some years ago. Of course, they’ve only been Pyrite for the last four or five years.”
“How can you go to work every morning if Thane tours with a rock band?”
“I don’t think you understand how big this band is. Thane’s staff tours with the band. He negotiates their contracts and… This is all beside the point. Thane’s office is at The Carousel. I can try and describe him, but it’s best if you see him in action. Pyrite is playing a private party at the club tonight. It’s an invitation only, end of summer bash. I’ll make sure your name is on the list.”
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