Tempting Tabitha

by Tianna Xander

  “To new beginnings,” he repeated as she touched her glass to his with a little clink.

  “Where do you plan to stay?” Deno carried two bags as they left his cabin. She probably didn’t know it, but one of the bags held clothing he’d replicated for her. It hadn’t taken him long to realize she didn’t own any clothing of her own. Accepting the items shouldn’t be an issue because he’d replicated them. None of it had cost him a cent.

  “I don’t know.” She walked beside him, holding her hands against her stomach as she twisted her fingers together. “I really don’t have anywhere to go. I can’t stay with Charly and Xeno. I wouldn’t want to... you know.” She blushed.

  “Be a fifth wheel?”

  “Yeah. I guess.” She shrugged. “But I don’t have the money to stay anywhere either. For the first time in my life, I’m worried about how I’ll make my way.”

  “You could stay with me.” He’d been waiting for the opportunity to make that offer.

  “I don’t know...”

  “What’s not to know? You know I love you. I’ve already told you that. I have a five-bedroom house, courtesy of the time I spent dreaming of finding my mate before I became a jerk.” He shifted both bags to his left hand and held the door to the disembarkation room open for her. “It’s such a big house, you don’t have to share a room with me and...” he paused for good effect because he knew his next words would be more enticing than anything else he’d said. “I have a replicator, so you don’t have to cook real food and I can show you how to make yourself new clothes as well.”

  He didn’t know what else to say to convince her. He wanted her in his home. He wanted to come home from work and see her smiling face every day. He wanted to hold her, kiss her, and talk to her.

  Before, when he’d thought of having a mate, or a woman, come live with him, he’d thought he’d want little more than sex. With Tabitha, he wanted it all. He wanted stimulating conversation, companionship, even an argument or two every once in a while. What astounded him the most was when he’d realized he didn’t only want to sleep with her, he wanted to wake up with her as well.

  “Nothing would make me happier if you would move in with me.” Stopping, he met her gaze. “I mean that. You don’t have to cook for me. You don’t have to sleep with me... unless you want to.” He waggled his brows. “Hell, you don’t even have to see me, unless you want to. I have five freaking bedrooms.”

  Gods, he hoped she didn’t make him beg. Heavens help him, he would beg if it came right down to it.

  “Okay.”

  “I mean it; you don’t even have t—” He looked at her. “What did you say?”

  “I said okay.” She smiled at him. “I can’t very well let you live the rest of your life alone, now, can I? After all, your tiger has tied itself to me. The least I can do is try to make things work with you. Though, consider yourself warned. I don’t play well with others. I’ve been alone for too many years, and when I wasn’t alone, I was with women. Don’t be surprised if it takes me a while to get used to living with a man full time.”

  “I’ll give you all the time and space you need.” Deno placed his right hand over his heart and bowed. “You have my word.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Deno’s home was much more than she expected. A large two-story house with a fenced backyard, a three-car garage, and an in-ground swimming pool. Somehow, she’d thought he would have had a ranch-style home with modest rooms and a bachelor’s scheme.

  The house looked like a home for a family. A large family, considering it had five bedrooms. Inside, the hardwood floors gleamed as though someone had just polished them, and the kitchen, filled with new, stainless steel appliances was one any woman who loved to cook would have drooled over.

  She knew the moment she walked through the door that no matter what Deno had said when they first met, he had designed his home with a family in mind.

  Consciously, he might have thought he’d wanted to stay single, but the labor of love that was his home told a much different story.

  “Once you’re settled, feel free to explore the rest of the house. If you see a room you’d rather have, be my guest to move your things into it.” He paused for a moment, looking a bit uncomfortable. “You might think I’m crazy for having a home this large but...” He shook his head. “Never mind. Just make yourself at home. I’m going to make a few calls, telling the neighbors I’m home, and they have no need to check on the house.” Turning, he left the room.

  Tabby could hear him trot down the stairs as she walked around the room. She thought about what he said. What things? She had nothing. The one set of clothes she’d had in her cabin had been sucked out through the gaping hole in the hull when the asteroid or whatever it was struck the ship. He’d replicated her some clothes, but she wasn’t sure she had the right to remove anything from the ship so she’d left everything she wasn’t wearing in the closet in his cabin.

  “Why did he leave this here?” She glanced down at the bag he left on the bed and remembered the things he had mentioned. Reaching for the bag, she pulled the zipper and looked inside.

  Tears filled her eyes as she stared at the clothes he’d replicated for her on the ship. There were more changes of clothes, a hairbrush, razor, toothbrush, and several different hair ties and bands. Sitting down, she covered her face with her hands, and for the second time in just a few weeks, allowed herself the indulgence of a good cry.

  Cat’s didn’t cry. Not the soul-cleansing cry of humans. They had tear ducts, but she’d never once found such a release as a cat.

  She stiffened a bit when strong arms enfolded her in a warm embrace before she relaxed and rested her head on Deno’s shoulder.

  “Shh, baby. What’s wrong? You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to.”

  How could she explain to him that she was crying because of his thoughtfulness? Would he understand that she cried because, for the first time in a long, long time, she had someone who cared for her, who cared what happened to her and cared about how she felt?

  “That’s... that’s not it.” She snuggled closer. “I love your house. I love it here already. It’s just... Thank you for the clothes. I’ve never had so many things before. I-I guess it was just a little overwhelming.”

  He rocked her back and forth, reminding her of when she was a little girl.

  “No one has cared for me like this in such a long time. I guess I just lost it for a minute.” She pulled away with a smile. “Thank you for giving me a shoulder to cry on.”

  “I have big shoulders, and they’re always here for you.” He reached up and dried her tears. “Don’t be afraid to come to me if you need one of my freakishly large shoulders. If you don’t use them, who will?” He grinned and then pulled her close, tucking her head beneath his chin. “I mean it. If you don’t come to me, it will hurt my feelings.”

  “I’ll try.” Tabby meant it. Over the last few days, Deno had proven to her he wasn’t anything like the man she’d first met. He had been telling the truth when he’d said he wanted her.

  Tabby leaned against him, her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. This was what she needed. The rock-hard determination of a man who would hold her close and comfort her when she needed it.

  Her heart expanded at the thought, and she wasn’t sure, but she might have felt a little bit of him wriggle into a small corner of it and settle there. She smiled and sighed. This wasn’t so bad, and if she played her cards right, that little bit that just wormed its way into her heart might get a little bigger someday.

  “So how have things been going with you two?” Charly took a sip of her coffee and waited for Tabby’s response.

  “Okay.” Tabby tried not to make it obvious that she was avoiding her sister’s gaze.

  “Come on. Spill the beans. Inquiring sisters want to know.”

  “He’s come home from work early every day, just to make sure I’m not lonely.” She hated to admit it
was one of the things about him that was the most endearing. He worried about her. No one worried about her but Charly.

  “Aww. That’s sweet.”

  “It is,” she agreed and tipped her cup to her mouth. The coffee was hot and bittersweet. It was one of her favorite things besides spending time with Deno. “I told him it’s not necessary, but he insists that it is.”

  “I wouldn’t doubt it. I guess all the guys take turns, leaving the shop to check on us. Apparently, they can’t stand the thought of anything happening to us while they're gone.”

  “I don’t blame them.” Tabby met her sister’s gaze. “Do you? After all, if anything should happen to one of us, they could spend the rest of their lives alone. Who in their right mind would want that?”

  “You did, not too long ago.”

  “Obviously, I wasn’t in my right mind.” Tabby grinned and took another sip of her drink. “Was I?”

  “No comment.” Charly laughed and glanced through the window. “Oh, look. Someone is coming up the walkway.”

  “I hate it when that happens.” Tabby frowned.

  “When what happens?”

  “When they knock on the door, and I have to ignore it.” She sighed. “Deno doesn’t want me to answer the door when he’s not here.”

  “Why not?” Charly tilted her head. “It’s not as though you have to invite them in or anything.”

  “I suppose not, but it’s his house, and anyone who comes here must be looking for him.”

  “I guess you’re right.” Charly shifted in her seat when whoever it was rang the doorbell. “I can see how it could get unnerving. Especially if they saw you at the table as they came up the walkway.”

  “Exactly!” Tabby made a face. “I’m tempted to forget about what he said and answer the door sometimes.

  “Then, what’s stopping you?” Charly stood and headed for the door.

  “The thought of being captured by the people who were after you and Xeno. What if someone found out what I am?” Her stomach churned at the thought.

  “You have a point.” Charly sat back down. “How do you stand just sitting here while someone lays on the doorbell like that?” She leaned over to peer out the window. “How much you wanna bet whoever it is saw us sitting here and won’t leave until we answer?”

  “Tough.” Tabby pressed her lips together. “I’m not opening that door for anyone.”

  “What happens if they don’t want to take your silence for an answer?”

  “This.” Tabby leaned over, opened a drawer, and pulled out a small metal rod.”

  “What’s that?” Charly reached for it.

  “Don’t.” Tabby held it out of her sister’s reach. “It took Deno two days to teach me how to use this thing. I almost shot my eye out with it, and he was right there.”

  “You almost what?” Charly practically screeched as she sat back in her seat, her eyes wide.

  “You heard me,” Tabby said grimly. “This is not a toy.” She gripped the weapon in her trembling hand. The doorbell had stopped ringing, but she hadn’t seen the person walk back down the path to the sidewalk in front of the house. “I didn’t see them walk back to the street.” She peered through the window, searching for the visitor. “Did you?”

  “No, I didn’t.” Charly thinned her lips as she stared toward the front door. “Tell me, did Deno show you anywhere in the house he called a safe room or something of the kind? Xeno said they all have one in their homes.”

  “Yes. He said it’s not common for houses here to have a basement, but he does. He said if I ever thought I was in danger, to press the button just inside the basement door and head for that room.”

  “What are we waiting for? Whoever was at the door is obviously not going away, and there are too many ground floor windows in this house.”

  “You don’t have to tell me twice.” Tabby stood and made her way to the basement door. Just inside, they closed the door behind them, and she pressed the red button on the wall just inside the door. A loud thump followed by a clang made her jump, and she almost fell down the stairs to the safe room. “What was that?”

  “It sounded like a steel door slamming shut to me.”

  “That means we’re safe then, right?”

  “Probably, but we should call the guys.” Charly shivered. “I can’t imagine Xeno’s reaction if I didn’t tell him what’s going on.”

  “Then call him. I can’t. I don’t have a phone.” She didn’t like using them anyway. It wasn’t as though she had many opportunities to use one over the years.

  “You should get one. You might need one someday. Like today.” Charly glanced at her. “What would you have done if I hadn’t been here?”

  “I probably would have stayed in the kitchen. I didn’t think anything about the doorbell. It’s been ringing off and on for the last few days.”

  “Really, Tabby. You have to get with the times. Get Deno to show you how to use the friggin’ internet or something. You need an education on the perils of today.”

  “Whatever.” Tabby led the way to the room Deno had shown here their second day in his home. “Here it is.” She held the door open, and Charly looked around with a frown.

  “It’s not much of a safe room if it’s just got a regular interior door.” She examined the entryway. The walls are nice and thick though.”

  “Yeah. Deno said they’re fireproof. Apparently, their ship had caught fire when they crashed, and all of them nearly burned to death. They might have died if it hadn’t been for the people of Magic using their special skills to save them. It’s only one of many reasons they are all so loyal to the town.”

  “Something like that would make me loyal, too.” Charly followed her into the room.

  As soon as Tabby flipped the light switch, a thick, steel door slid into place, sealing them in.

  “So much for the regular door, huh?” Tabby pushed the inside door shut. At first glance, the safe room appeared to be a small three-room apartment—four if she counted the bathroom. The rooms consisted of a kitchen and living room combination and two bedrooms.

  “Wow.” Charly whistled. “This is nice.” She checked the ventilation system with its four-inch by six-inch vents. “No one is crawling in through these.”

  “Nothing human anyway.” Though she could have shifted shape into something small enough to fit through those ducts. She shivered at the thought.

  “We should keep an eye on them anyway, shouldn’t we?” Charly watched her thoughtfully. “You could shift small enough to fit through, couldn’t you?”

  “Yes. That’s what’s got me worried. Though, I don’t think anyone who could shapeshift would be working for your ex-boss.”

  “True.” Charly rested her hands on her hips. “But it can’t hurt to be vigilant.”

  “So...” Tabby sat on the sofa an patted the seat next to her. “What do you think about the other women wanting to see if they can become shifters?”

  “I’m not sure it’s a good idea. That’s what I think.” Charly flipped through a few magazines that appeared to be a few years old. “What about you?”

  “They have a point. The men wouldn’t have to worry nearly as much if they could shift their shape into a lion, or dragon even, if trouble arose.”

  “You’ve shifted into a dragon?” Charly clapped her hands. “Show me!”

  “Not here, you dork.” Tabby laughed. “I’d either ruin this nice little haven Deno built for himself, or I’d squash myself and you.”

  “Oh. I didn’t think of that.” Charly thrust out her bottom lip. “Can’t you shift into a tiny little dragon?”

  “No. I’m not shifting for you, so you can just forget about it.” Tabby slapped her playfully on the back of the head.

  “Okay, okay. Sheesh! You can’t blame a girl for trying.”

  “Whatever.” Tabby rolled her eyes. “Are you calling your man or what?”

  “I’m calling. He’s not answering.” She frowned down at the screen on her phone. “I
don’t understand. He always answers.”

  “Maybe you don’t get a signal down here?”

  “That’s not it. I have a great signal. There’s one thing I’ve found out about their family from the other women. Never do the men ignore a call from their mate.”

  Charly’s phone rang.

  “There you are! I was worried.” She listened for a moment and nodded, her gaze meeting Tabby’s. “Yes. We’re both in the safe room, and the door is locked. There was some guy outside. He rang the bell and then stopped, but neither of us saw him walk back down to the road. We figured safer was better than sorry.”

  Tabby twisted her fingers as she listened to the one-sided conversation.

  “Oh, I’d say about mid-forties, maybe a little older. Though he could be much older. Look at your dad.” She shook her head. “Okay. I’ll stick to the facts.” She glanced at Tabby and crossed her eyes.

  Tabby smiled when what she wanted to do was shift into her tiger, or better yet, her dragon. Still, she knew she couldn’t do that. It would only prove they were more than human, and they didn’t want to do that if the person who had knocked on Deno’s door was part of the lab that had kidnapped Xeno.

  “Okay. Understood. I love you, too.” Charly shoved her phone in her pocket. “The man never says goodbye.” She smiled. “Though he does end every call with I love you, so how can I complain about that?”

  “What did he say? Where’s Deno; is he with him?” Tabby needed to know. She might not have agreed to mate with him yet, but she knew, given time, she would eventually agree. She’d felt her emotions growing exponentially ever since that little bit had wriggled into her heart two days before.

  “Deno is on his way. He wouldn’t wait for Xeno or the others. He dropped everything. He even left his phone at the shop in his rush. Apparently, Xeno had been on the phone with one of his brothers when I called, or he would have answered.” She pulled her phone back out of her pocket and checked it with a frown. “How’d the ringer get turned off? She pressed the button on the side. “Xeno tried to call me twice, but I didn’t answer because my ringer was off for some reason.”