LITMIR.BIZ

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a compelling nexus of desire. But was a wild fling really the answer to ending the sexual fantasies she could not shake? Or would seducing this man open up a whole new can of hurt?

      She slipped her sunglasses back on and coolly said, “So what exactly is a vortex?”

      He turned his head to smile at her, and her heart, which had just begun to settle down, kicked back into high gear. If the man could bottle that grin the world’s fuel problems would be solved.

      “Essentially it’s the energy of the earth.”

      “Oookay.”

      “The energy can be magnetic, electric or electromagnetic. The magnetic vortices are considered masculine, the feminine are electric and the electromagnetic are neutral.”

      “Which one of those are we going to?” Abby asked, and caught herself studying his large, masculine hands as he clutched the steering wheel.

      He had such nice, long, broad fingers. She recollected how those same fingers had once tickled the underside of her throat while his hot, wet tongue had eagerly explored her ear.

      Magnetic, indeed.

      “We’re going to Cathedral Rock first. It’s a feminine vortex.”

      “What’s supposed to happen there?”

      “Maybe nothing.” Durango shrugged. “It all depends on what you’re looking for. Some people come to Sedona for spiritual growth. Others arrive searching for health and emotional well-being. Still others find themselves at a crossroad in their lives and they’re seeking guidance. Sedona is a good place to turn inward and find out what you really want.”

      That’s me. I’m at a crossroad.

      And she had no idea what it was she really wanted out of life.

      “What kind of guidance can these earth energies give you?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

      “If you let yourself feel the power, they can guide you anywhere you want to go.”

      “Sounds cryptic,” Tess piped up.

      “It’s an individual experience. If you’re attuned, the vortex can lead you to balance and harmony in your life. Or it can point the way to an important career change. It can help you in your relationships or it can set you on the path to heightened awareness.”

      “What about sex?” Tess asked.

      “I’m for it,” Durango said.

      Tess giggled. “Me too. But what I’ve heard is that vortex energy can enhance your sex life.”

      Durango chuckled. His laugh was low and sensuous and snaked a fissure of that very heightened awareness right up Abby’s spinal column. “If that’s what you need. Sure, why not?”

      “I’m betting the electromagnetic vortices are the sexiest, right?” Tess sat up and leaned over the front seat.

      “I never really thought of it that way,” Durango said. “But, yeah, I suppose those would be considered the sexiest vortices. Concurrent flow and all that.”

      “Do you really believe the vortices have such influential power?” Abby asked.

      “Not at all,” he said. “The power is within you. The vortex is just a channel, funneling energy into whatever you bring to it. Positive or negative. Light or dark. Passionate or dispassionate.”

      Abby swallowed. “All this sounds pretty out there. New Agey. Weird.”

      And not at all like the old Durango she used to know. That young rebel had been full of torment and anger. He was different now. More relaxed, more philosophical, more sure of his place in the world. Plus, he didn’t seem to hold the slightest grudge against her for turning against him all those years ago. That was really nice. She approved of the changes in him.

      Durango leaned over and placed the flat of his broad thumb in the center of her forehead. “Open your mind, Abby. The world is a much bigger place than your father’s circle of influence.”

      She stared at him, her forehead tingling from his touch. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

      “You figure it out.” Durango’s enigmatic black eyes challenged her to go beyond the tried-and-true. He was so busy watching her that he missed his turn-off and had to corner quickly.

      The tires squealed. Abby sucked in her breath and clutched the hand rest.

      The credo medallion flew off the rearview mirror and dropped into her lap.

      Freefall.

      With shaky fingers, Abby slipped the medallion back over the mirror.

      “Yee-ha!” Tess said from the back seat. “That was fun.”

      “Just checking to see if you were awake,” Durango joked.

      They turned down Back O’ Beyond Road. It seemed an appropriate name encircled as they were by miles and miles of the majestic red rocks. Abby had to admit there was something incredibly special about those rock mesas. No matter what you were doing, you invariably felt your eyes drawn to them.

      There were other Jeeps on the road. Other tours. They drove for a while longer and then Durango found a place to park.

      “We walk from here,” he said, strapping on his backpack.

      The weather was temperate. A good fifteen degrees cooler than in Phoenix. The sun was bright but not overpowering. The air was peaceful. Quiet.

      Abby couldn’t believe that she had lived out her entire life in Phoenix and had never once made the short two-hour trek to Sedona. She didn’t have much time for vacations. She stayed too busy with her job and running her father’s household and helping out with his political campaigns. And whenever she did take time off, she usually preferred cruising the Caribbean to checking out local hot spots.

      Just think, all this time, Durango was only two hours away and you never knew.

      Her heart lurched oddly. Why did that realization make her feel so sad?

      The world is a much bigger place than your father’s circle of influence. Durango’s words echoed in her head.

      He led the way up the trail. They’d only gone half a mile before Tess started bitching. “How come nobody told me there’d be so much walking.”

      “I did suggest you might not want to wear high-heeled sandals.” Abby shook her head.

      “But hiking shoes blow my sexy image.” Tess pouted.

      “It’s not too much farther,” Durango said.

      “Why don’t they build roads right up to the vortex?” Tess whined. “For us couch potatoes.”

      “That would kinda ruin the whole point of nature,” Abby pointed out.

      They passed a few other hikers on their trek up the rock. Tess finally ended up pulling off her shoes and padding after them barefoot. The sound of her feet slapping against the red sandstone echoed softly throughout the canyon.

      When they came to a large flat rock in the middle of the path, Tess plunked herself down on it.

      “You guys go ahead.” She waved a hand. “I just wanna sit here and rest a minute.”

      “We’ll wait with you,” Abby said and perched beside her. The last thing she wanted to do was be alone with Durango.

      “I really want to be by myself. To meditate.”

      Abby stared at her. “Since when do you meditate?”

      “Since I found out Colin Cruz is deep into Eastern philosophy. Now, do you mind?” Tess made shooing motions at them. “Scram.”

      She knew what her friend was up to and, while Tess thought she had her best interest at heart, Abby wasn’t the least bit grateful.

      “Abby?”

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