He gave her another hug. “Believe me, I understand completely. There was a time when I never wanted to see another person again myself. But I’m getting over it.”
Sara wasn’t nearly as optimistic, but at least she wasn’t feeling quite so terrified when Jerden got close to her. She wasn’t so sure about anyone else. Maybe Jerden was the only one. “I’m glad to hear it. Bonnie and Lynx have been very worried about you.”
“I know. And I’m going to thank them and everyone else for their concern. I’m going to throw a big party for all my friends and neighbors.”
Sara couldn’t completely suppress her shudder. “Nate, too?”
“Actually, I think it might be a good idea—you know, face the enemy head on? You just stick close to me and he won’t bother you.”
She tried not to think about what sticking close to him might entail. “I take it that means I’m invited?”
He nodded. “You, Drania—and her boyfriend if she likes—Reutal, and Zatlen.”
Sara hated to decline, but she also didn’t like the idea of leaving her horses unattended. “I’m not sure all of us should go.”
“If you’re worried about the horses, your stable hands can come in shifts. But I want you there the whole time.”
She quirked an eyebrow at him. “What are we now? Joined at the hip?”
“Not exactly.” He grinned wickedly. “I need a hostess.”
“Ah. I see. I’ll be there so the single women attending won’t feel threatened by your, um, maleness?”
His burst of laughter thrilled her to her toes. What is it about him?
“Don’t worry. I’ve decided I need to start wearing at least some clothes. I keep forgetting I’m not on Rhylos anymore.”
An image of Jerden wearing boots and breeches flashed through her mind, making her gasp. Whoa… “That’s probably a good idea, and I’m sure Drania’s boyfriend would appreciate it. I doubt if he could compete with you.”
“Why, Sara! Does that mean you think I have a really hot ass too?”
Sara eyed him askance. “I don’t think that’s what I said.”
“But it was implied. I think you like me better than you’ll admit.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead and then got up so quickly she didn’t have time to react. She heard him rattling ice cubes in the kitchen and moments later, he returned with a glass of iced tea. “Here. Drink this. It’ll make you feel better.”
Sara swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat up, a little surprised that her head didn’t swim. “Thanks.” She downed half the tea without stopping for breath, feeling the icy refreshment coursing through her limbs.
He held out a hand. Without thinking, she placed her hand in his, and he pulled her to her feet. “There’s something else I’d like to discuss with you—maybe over dinner sometime.”
Dinner? “Oh, and what’s that?”
“I’ve been thinking of importing some horses. Maybe some like yours or something different. I don’t know a damn thing about them, but I’m sure you could advise me.”
She gave him a blank stare. “You mean you want to start up a breeding farm?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I really like what you’ve done with your place. I’m not sure about raising feed and such, but I wouldn’t mind having some horses.”
“Well… you could buy hay and feed from me or Bonnie and Lynx. As for what kind of horses you should get, I’m not—” She stopped abruptly as she pictured something else. Jerden on a Friesian. Holy shit… “I know just the breed you need. I’d raise them myself, but I can’t afford any more horses for a while yet.” She gave him a sly grin. “I hear you’re rolling in dough.”
“Burning a hole in my pocket.” He glanced down at his groin. “At least, it would be if I had any pockets to put it in. Speaking of which, if I’m going to be out and about more, I probably ought to get something to wear.”
Sara let her gaze follow his and smiled wistfully. “I doubt if I’ll recognize you with pants on.”
“I’ll be sure to introduce myself or—better yet—you could go with me to pick them out.”
“I suppose I could,” she said, chewing on a fingernail. “I was planning to go into town this afternoon—it’s market day.” She drew in a fortifying breath. “Would you like to come along?”
“Absolutely.” Chuckling, he steered her toward the door with a hand pressed against the small of her back. “In the meantime, let’s get you back on a horse where you belong.”
Letting him guide her without question, she was halfway to the barn before she realized what he’d done. Or rather, what she’d let him do. He’s telling me what to do and pushing me around—sort of. And it didn’t make me mad. How weird…
Perhaps it was simply because he was Zetithian. She wasn’t sure, but whatever it was, those brief moments of closeness had felt… nice. Certainly nothing like the way she’d felt with Nate, and especially not the way she’d felt when that boy had forced himself on her.
Go ahead and use the correct word, Sara. He hadn’t merely tried to kiss her, he’d raped her. Every time a man got close, the panic, the total loss of control, overwhelmed her again.
That trauma had occurred such a long time ago. Why am I still affected by it? Why can’t I let it go?
She had no answers to those questions. But for the first time since that assault, she could almost see a ray of hope. Faint, perhaps, but hope, nonetheless.
***
After lunch, Sara and Jerden set out for Nimbaza. She half expected him to insist on driving, but he simply climbed in the passenger side just as Cria jumped into the back. Sara chuckled to herself, thinking that Nate would never have relinquished the driver’s seat.
Jerden gave her a curious look. “Should we leave Cria at home?”
“I didn’t think that was an option.” There were some things you simply didn’t argue about with a leopard. “Actually, the reason I’m laughing is because I’m surprised you’re letting me drive.”
“Why not? Don’t you know how?” His teasing grin took her by surprise, as much for its seductive glint as its genial nature. Most guys took piloting a speeder very seriously.
“Oh, you know how men are. They never seem to think a woman is capable of anything.”
Jerden snorted a laugh. “On Zetith, that kind of attitude could get a man blackballed from touching a woman for the rest of his life.”
“Wow. Really?”
“Really. Our society isn’t like that of humans. You’d probably call us all beta males as opposed to alpha, but what we really are is a woman’s equal. Each sex is equally deserving of respect, and no one has the right to impose their will on anyone else.”
Sara reflected on thousands of years of human history. If any social group had ever been based on total equality of the sexes, she’d never heard of it. Matriarchal or patriarchal, perhaps, but never entirely equal. “Sounds nice.”
As his smile faded, Sara could almost see the memories flowing through his mind. “It was. At least, what I remember of it. My father practically worshipped my mother, and she adored him. There was never any question of one being stronger than the other. My father was more powerful physically, perhaps, but he never used that strength against her—only in support of her.”
Tears welled up in Sara’s eyes. “That’s the way it should be.” If only it had been, her life would have been so different. Starting the engine, she raised the windshield and slid her finger up the control panel for maximum acceleration. She left the canopy open, allowing the rushing wind to dry her tears—or perhaps explain them.
Jerden left it at that, and Sara made no further comments, preferring to keep her thoughts to herself. She wondered if letting her pilot the speeder was his way of allowing her to remain in control of the situation. True, the vehicle belonged to her, but his actions made her feel as though he truly did consider he
r to be his equal and saw no need to establish dominance—something she found both refreshing and reassuring.
As they approached the dairy, she gave a nod toward the house. “Look who it is.” Salan stood in front of the rustic farmhouse on the hillside above them, smiling and waving, her long blonde tresses wafting in the breeze. “Guess we ought to stop and say hello, huh?”
Jerden grimaced. “If you say so.”
“I know she’s been a bit of a pest, but she is a neighbor of ours. If you’re gonna break her heart, you should at least be nice about it.”
He blew out a breath. “I’ll try. But I could sure use some help discouraging her. Do you think maybe you and I could pretend to be interested in each other? Just for show?”
Since Sara had already given this idea some thought she didn’t automatically refuse. “I scratch your back and you’ll scratch mine?”
“Something like that.”
He’d already come to her rescue once. She owed him one. “I’ll see what I can do.”
There was no mistaking Salan’s delight as they drew nearer. “Hi, Jerden!” she called out as Sara brought the speeder to a halt. “I heard you’ve been sick. It’s good to see you up and about. You look fabulous.”
“Thanks.” Jerden gave Salan a perfunctory smile, then shot a beseeching look at Sara.
“Um, we were just going into town to do a little shopping,” Sara said. Unfortunately, she had no idea what she ought to say or do next, and wound up stating the obvious. “Jerden needs some clothes.”
That sounded pretty stupid.
It also gave Salan the perfect opening. With a coy smile, she leaned forward, crossing her arms to rest them on the side of the speeder—a posture that put her ample bosom right in front of Jerden’s face. Her luminous eyes roamed over his bare torso, registering a hint of disappointment when they drifted down to the loincloth. “I’m not so sure about that.” Her gaze flicked back to Jerden’s face. “Like I said, you look fabulous.”
It’s now or never… “Of course he does,” Sara conceded. “But you know how it is. I’d rather be the only one who gets to see him undressed.”
Salan recoiled as though she’d been slapped. “What? You mean you two are dating now?”
To Sara’s relief, Jerden spoke up. “Absolutely. Sara is the most fascinating woman I’ve ever met.” With a sidelong glance that was as wicked as his tone, he reached over and ran his hand up the full length of her thigh. “And by far the sexiest.”
Sara sat gaping at him for a long moment. He obviously expected her to say something similar about him, but his hand on her leg had scattered her wits completely. Even after he brought her back to her senses with a gentle squeeze, the best she could do was to echo Drania’s opinions. “He’s such a… a hunk, and he’s got a terrific ass.” There. That oughta do it…
Salan’s lower lip quivered as though she were about to cry. “Oh. Oh, I see… But when did all this happen? I thought you and Nate Wolmack were an item.”
Sara snorted a laugh. “You must’ve heard that from Nate.”
Frowning, Salan brushed an errant tendril back from her face. “Well, yeah…”
“There isn’t a particle of truth in it,” Sara said firmly. “Unless it’s in his own mind. I’ve never been interested in Nate.”
Salan’s eyes darted toward Jerden and then back to Sara. She shook her head slowly. “He’s really gonna be pissed.”
“Not much he can do about it now,” Sara said. At least she hoped he couldn’t. After their last encounter, she wouldn’t put anything past him.
“Besides, I’m pretty sure he already knows,” Jerden added. “Or at least suspects it. You’re the first person we’ve actually told.”
A grimace marred Salan’s lovely face. “My, how ironic.”
Even though Sara knew exactly what she meant, she also knew that playing dumb was sometimes the best tactic—and certainly the kindest. “How so?”
“Nothing. Never mind.” She sighed. “I won’t keep you any longer. Have fun shopping.” With a halfhearted wave, Salan turned and headed back to the house, her shoulders slumped and her head hanging low.
Jerden’s fervent Thank the gods as they resumed their journey had Sara giggling like a schoolgirl. “She didn’t look a bit happy, did she? Maybe she and Nate will get together and commiserate. With any luck, they might actually stay together.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it.” Jerden gave her thigh another squeeze. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
Sara might’ve agreed if her heartbeat had been a little steadier. “Speak for yourself. I’m surprised she believed any of it.”
“Most people will believe anything they see. All we have to do is act the part.”
“I suppose so.” Keeping her eyes on the road ahead, she added, “You might have to give me some pointers, though. I’m not very good at that sort of thing.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
They left the rolling hills of the dairy farm to fly by Bonnie’s carefully tended fields, then on past Nate’s land. Beyond noting that his pastures needed mowing and the fence looked a little worse for wear, Sara dismissed him entirely and certainly had no intention of stopping by to ask if he had any new foals.
The road stretched on over the northern spur of the mountains where the rocky terrain defied any attempts at cultivation. Nothing but iron grass, gorse, and juluva grew there. A wild, harsh-looking country, it was inhabited mostly by carrion birds and the hardy goatlike tempets. At least, that was all Sara had ever seen whenever she’d passed through that region.
She glanced at the rear viewscreen and caught sight of Cria’s yellow eyes staring back at her. “Do you suppose Cria came from these mountains?”
“She may have,” Jerden replied with a shrug. “I don’t really know. She just showed up one day.”
“Leopards are pretty rare around here. In fact, she’s the only one I’ve ever seen—and she doesn’t look like the indigenous variety, either. Maybe she wandered off the way Danuban did.”
“Could be. I seem to be quite adept at collecting strays.”
Cria stretched forward to nuzzle Jerden’s shoulder as though she knew he was talking about her. Reaching up, he scratched behind her ear. If Sara had ever felt weak or unprotected, she certainly shouldn’t feel that way now. Not with two big cats to escort her.
Jerden still made her nervous, though. She didn’t see him as a threat—at least not as much as she had before—but she was a long way from feeling completely comfortable with him. She reminded herself that he was there to help and protect her. He wouldn’t hurt her.
At least, not intentionally.
Chapter 10
Market day was in full swing when Sara and Jerden arrived in Nimbaza’s main square. With stalls selling everything from enock eggs to fine fabrics and speeder parts, Sara was sure they could find something for Jerden to wear. Unfortunately, she had trouble picturing him in anything but his loincloth. Still, it was the rare hunk who didn’t look like a million credits in a pair of low-slung jeans, whether he wore a shirt or not.
Considering Jerden’s reputation, Sara probably should’ve expected the odd stares directed at him. Furtive glances, scuttling footsteps, muttering, and quickly averted eyes when they were caught looking seemed to be the norm. She couldn’t understand the reason until she overheard two Davordian women say something about a crazy wildcat. Clearly, these two women weren’t deterred by the rumors of Jerden’s madness, for they gazed at him with unabashed admiration while others gave him a wide berth—though the fact that Cria followed him like a shadow might have had something to do with it.
Leopard or not, Sara was starting to get annoyed. She was about to yell “Boo!” at a couple of gawkers when Lynx called out to them from their booth. “Hey, Jerden! It’s good to see you looking so well.”
Lynx didn’t seem to
notice anything strange about Sara and Jerden being there together. Bonnie, however, eyed them with entirely too much interest.
“I’m feeling better than I have in a long time,” Jerden replied. “And I have this lovely lady to thank for it.”
Sara gasped in surprise as he took her hand and pressed it to his lips. She hadn’t expected him to continue the ruse unless Nate or Salan were present. Making Bonnie think they were lovers was dangerous. Knowing her, she’d probably start planning a wedding.
Bonnie’s eyes might have been as round as saucers, but Jerden’s actions certainly had the desired effect on the Davordians. As if on cue, the two women wilted, letting out dejected sighs.
Unfortunately, the Twilanan woman in a nearby booth also overheard him and perked up considerably. “Ah, ha! I thought so!” Hilbransk said with a knowing smile. “If you should find yourself in need of a wedding dress, I have just the thing for you, Sara!” She held up one of the flowing robes favored by her kind, scaled down to human size.
Sara had never worn anything quite so colorful before, but then, she’d never worn white satin, either—nor had anyone ever suggested there might be wedding bells in her future. She stood gaping at Hilbransk for a long moment, then darted a desperate glance at Jerden before stammering her reply. “I—we—that is, neither of us have said anything about getting married. Besides, I can’t see myself ever wearing anything that… fancy.”
Hilbransk frowned, tapping her tusk contemplatively. “Hold on. I have something else you might like.” Delving into the rack at the rear of her shop, she pulled out a plain white sheath with a plunging neckline. The high-collared sleeveless overdress that went with it was made from a filmy fabric dyed in hazy swirls of blue and green, accented with sparkling stars. The back was long enough to form a train.
Sara didn’t care for Twilanan fashions as a rule, but this was beautiful. “How come you’ve never shown me anything like that before?”
Hilbransk laughed, her ornate earrings jingling in merry accompaniment. “You were never in love before, Sara.”
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