Prince of Stone (Imperia)

by Gena Showalter

  “So. What do you think of an Earth bar?” Katie had to shout to be heard over the music.

  He wrinkled his nose. “’Tis…interesting.”

  Somehow, she subdued a grin. What a kind way of saying he hated it. “Stay here, and I’ll grab us a couple drinks.” Nonalcoholic for Jorlan.

  He clasped her hand as she stood, then tugged, bringing her face down to his, the tips of their noses brushing together. “If any male asks you to dance, he forfeits his life.”

  “You are so cute when you’re jealous.” She kissed his brow, and for some reason he flinched, then worked her way to the bar.

  She purchased rum and Coke for herself and a 7Up for Jorlan. By the time she returned to the table, Jorlan had attracted a small crowd of admirers. Her fingers tightened on the glasses. They stood around him, blocking her way.

  “—can’t believe I’m speaking with Mike Calman, the best lineman ever to play for the NFL. Will you sign this for me?”

  Katie pushed her way closer just as a man slid a napkin Jorlan’s way.

  At the name Mike Calman the rest of the audience twittered excitedly. An avid sports fan, Katie had watched Mike Calman lead his team to victory countless times, and she didn’t think Jorlan looked anything like the famed football star.

  “Where’s your Super Bowl ring?”

  “Who’s going to replace your coach?”

  “Are you thinking of playing for the Cowboys?”

  Katie had no idea how Jorlan answered, but whatever he said charmed the pants off everyone. (Thankfully not literally.) They oohed and aahed.

  Apparently, Jorlan was the night’s VIP. Very irresistible playboy.

  “I didn’t know you had an accent,” some girl said. “I love it!”

  Finally she reached the front of the crowd. Jorlan sat in the same chair as before, but his posture was much more relaxed. A pretty purple-haired woman occupied Katie’s seat, eyeing the otherworlder like the last fillet at the market.

  “I’ve never met a professional ballplayer in here, but give me a chance, and I’m certain I can come up with something to do with you,” Purple said, leaning into him.

  Enough! “Mr. Calman just wants to relax. In private.”

  Jorlan didn’t react in any way, telling Katie he’d sensed her presence, he just hadn’t acknowledged it. Why? Gauging her reaction? Well, news flash, he was seconds away from having to surgically remove his testicles from his throat.

  Unlike so many others, Katie did not blame the woman for flirting with a taken man; she blamed the man.

  Purple toyed with the ends of his hair, snipping at Katie, “Are you his bodyguard or something?”

  “Maybe. Let’s play two truths and a lie,” Katie said, settling into the empty seat beside her. “I’m either his bodyguard, the mother of his three sons, or the woman who broke a magic curse, turning our Jo—Calman into a real boy instead of a stone statue.” No one in their right mind would believe that last one, the honest-to-goodness truth.

  The crowd burst into another round of laughter.

  “Whatever you are, you’re getting on my nerves.” Focusing on Jorlan, Purple said, “Is she the mother of your sons?”

  At last Jorlan slid his gaze her way. “No,” he replied to Purple while staring at Katie. “She is not.”

  Was this punishment for refusing to give him an answer?

  The woman got real smug real fast. “Why don’t you ditch the tagalong, then, and go home with me? I’m super-good with balls.”

  “Yes, Jorlan. Why don’t you ditch me, your landlord, chauffer and moneybag, and go home with her?” What had gotten into the man? Had something happened while she’d fetched drinks?

  “I must stay,” he told Purple, who pouted but didn’t shuffle away.

  For the next hour, Jorlan talked and laughed with everyone but Katie, soaking up attention as if it was oxygen he needed for life support. Purple eventually left, allowing Katie to return to her original chair. But other women came over, one after the other.

  She downed the rum and Coke. Then another and another. Every once in a while a brave man approached Katie to drop a flirtatious line, but her snappy retorts sent the would-be hookups scurrying away. Or maybe Jorlan’s prepare-to-die glares caused the retreats? But anytime she found herself alone again, Jorlan would turn back to whatever woman he was flirting with and ignore her.

  What kind of lesson was he hoping she’d learn here? That she needed to snatch him up before someone else did?

  When the fourth man beat feet, she leaned into Jorlan, even though another girl had come over to get his autograph.

  Katie whispered, “What lesson are you trying to teach me here? That my choices are you or no one? That there are plenty of women for you to marry if I say no? That you’re a douche and I’m better off without you?”

  He didn’t look away from the woman who stood before him, even as he directed his response to Katie. “If I knew what a douche was, I’m sure I would be properly chastised.”

  Jerk! “Men were leering at me? That’s so…wonderful.” She fluffed her hair. “Which ones? I should probably go say hi.”

  The girl had just launched into a rambling speech about her great love for football when Jorlan turned away from her to peer at Katie.

  “Say hi, and they die!”

  Do not grin. “And now you’re jealous again.” She tossed up her arms as if exasperated. “That’s just great.”

  He narrowed his eyes and worked his jaw. “You called me jealous earlier, too. And, as you strolled to the bar, I had to watch different males leer at you. I wanted to murder each one. I was jealous, I admit it. Then and now. But by Elliea, I will not be the only one.”

  The girl glanced between them before backing away, leaving them alone at last.

  “You’ve ignored me because you were man-pouting?” Katie demanded.

  “Yes!” he roared. “And you let me. You never once tried to send the females away, which means I want you more than you want me.”

  “I sent Purple away.”

  “Did you, though? Or did she walk away of her own volition? Listen,” he said before she could respond. “Our relationship is more unbalanced than either of us realized, just not the way you feared.”

  Many people turned to stare at them.

  Both relieved and annoyed, Katie stood and extended her hand. The tempo of the music had slowed; there was no better time to couple up. “I’ve been jealous, too, okay? So let’s stop trying to balance things out and just enjoy each other’s company. Will you please honor me with a dance, Jorlan?”

  At first, he revealed no hint of his thoughts. Just peered from her hand to her face. Then, a wicked glint shone in his eyes. “I will so honor you, Katie.” He accepted her hand and stood. Side by side, they strode to the dance floor.

  As he wrapped his strong arms around her, the building seemed to tilt. She rested her head on his shoulder, relaxing against him.

  Had anything ever felt so right?

  “That was quite a display, warrior woman,” he said.

  “Well, you’re important to me. And handsome. And sexy. Did you know that?” Wait. Why had she admitted that aloud?

  His husky chuckle reverberated along her nerve endings. “Tell me more. What do you like about me?”

  For some reason, answering honestly sounded like the best idea in the history of ideas. “Well, if we’re talking outward appearance only, I love how tall you are. Your muscles make my mouth water. And your butt! I just want to squeeze it!”

  “Hmm.” He caressed the ridges of her spine. “What else?”

  So much! “The first time I saw you, you were naked. Remember? I kept looking down, and all I could think about was how big your penis is and how wonderful you’d probably feel buried deep inside me.”

  He jolted, then he stilled, his inhalations turning ragged. “’Tis very intriguing, that desire of yours. If you wanted me so badly in the beginning, why did you deny me?”

  “’Cause I didn’t
know you, and I was afraid of developing feelings for you. Duh.”

  With one hand, he continued to stroke her spine. With the other, he squeezed her butt the way she’d hoped to squeeze his. “What do you like about my personality now that you’ve gotten to know me better?”

  Why was the room spinning? “You’re courageous. And stubborn. A lot of people consider stubbornness a bad trait, but not me. You won’t give up when things get tough. You’re honest. Oh! You aren’t affected by my disease.”

  “Disease?” The word lashed like a cat-o’-nine-tails, but she didn’t mind. His irises had darkened to the color of a starless night, blue and black and the perfect midnight fantasy. “Why did you not tell me you are sick? You must come to Imperia. I will pay a healer, and she will make you well.”

  “A healer can’t help me.” Hooking her fingers into the waist of his new jeans, she said, “My disease is fatal.”

  He went rigid. “You are not allowed to die! Whether you want to or no, you are going to my world, katya. As soon as possible.” He tightened his hold, until she lost her breath. “I will listen to no protests.”

  “You don’t want me to die before I fall in love with you. But what if I fall in love, but you don’t? What if your desire for me centers around your desire to be free of the curse?” The words surprised her. She’d thought she’d conquered that particular fear, but obviously not.

  “I am not concerned with love right now, only your health.”

  Another sweet gesture on Jorlan’s part. The guy was checking her boxes, one after the other tonight.

  “What is the name of your disease?” he asked, a slight tremor in his voice.

  “First Date Syndrome.”

  “You are dying from First Date Syndrome?” he asked, incredulous.

  “I am, and it’s awful. The worst!” Spinning, spinning, around and around.

  He growled low in her ear. “Do not ever do that again, woman. I thought you were truly sick.”

  “I am. I’m sick in the head. I’ve never made it past a first date. I’m magnificent, yet no one ever notices.”

  “I noticed,” he said, and ran her earlobe between his teeth.

  When the song ended and fast-beat hard rock spilled from the speakers, he eased her into a slow, rocking motion.

  Gently stroking her hands up and down his back, she explained some of the horrid evenings she’d endured. Once she thought he chuckled, but she knew she was mistaken. They were discussing something very serious here, something that affected her entire life. But all too soon the spinning worsened, and she forgot what she wanted to tell him.

  “Jorlan,” she whispered. “I think I’m going to pass out.” A second later, she crashed into a liquor-soaked darkness.

  * * *

  SOMEHOW, JORLAN MANAGED to drive Katie to their lodging without getting either of them killed. The transportation was not easy to manage, but neither was the softly snoring Katie.

  As he carried her to their room, she moaned and muttered, “Oranges not bananas.” Whatever that meant.

  He blamed himself for her condition. He’d watched her consume glass after glass of “lick her” yet he’d done nothing to stop her. He’d wanted her to drink them. Too well did he recall the effects of the liquid, a type of truth serum.

  He couldn’t resist an opportunity to question her and discover the truth of her feelings for him. Only, she had fainted before he’d the chance to delve too deeply.

  He had learned some interesting facts, however. The woman considered him her property, and the knowledge proved more potent than…anything. He smiled as he recalled how she’d reacted to other women who’d admired him. Not even Maylyn had been so possessive. No, Maylyn had been content with what time he could give her, unconcerned if he spent time with another female.

  The more he considered Katie’s possessiveness and jealousy, the more it thrilled him. Anytime he’d glanced her way, need had smoldered in his blood. He’d wanted to strip her down and plunge his shaft to the hilt, right there in the bar, while music blared and the smoke billowed from a machine.

  Such thoughts could do him no good now. The hour was late, and they had much to do on the morrow. Inside their small, private chamber, he stripped Katie of every garment save for the black material that guarded her feminine core. Pretty.

  Nay, not a strong enough word. Exquisite. Ethereal. The dark fabric was the perfect contrast for her pale skin.

  As he gazed down at her, the air in his lungs heated. Pert breasts. Narrow waist. Heart-shaped hips. Toned legs.

  He’d once noticed the freckles on her shoulders and wondered if she had any elsewhere. He now knew she did. A handful of freckles dotted her stomach, the sight tantalizing. He hardened all over again.

  No doubt the twilight hours would offer the sweetest kind of torture.

  Carefully he placed her in the bed. After stripping down to skin, he climbed in beside her.

  He smiled the entire night.

  * * *

  HMM. THIS PILLOW. It was the warmest one she’d ever owned. And the softest. But oddly enough, also the hardest.

  Katie snuggled closer to it, and even skimmed her leg up, up, until she found something hard and hot to prop her knee. A contented sigh escaped. Her head ached a bit, but other than that she felt wonderful.

  Deep breath in. Double hmm. Sandalwood, a little taste of heaven. Here, now, she felt safe and secure, and she wanted to stay in this warm refuge forever.

  Somewhere in her conscious mind, she heard a loud crack of thunder. Rain beat against the window. Instead of luring her to sleep, however, the pitter-patter helped clear the sleepy fog from her mind.

  Time to get up. She stretched. Smiled. Stretched again. If Jorlan were here—

  Jorlan!

  Hard?

  Delicious?

  Katie popped open her eyes. She wore a bra and panties, but nothing else. Jorlan lay underneath her, and he was completely naked.

  It was one hundred percent obvious his body liked the contact.

  Just what had happened last night? Not sex. Her body felt the same as always. She thought back. They’d danced at the bar and then…what?

  She studied his sleeping form. Once again, he looked boyish and carefree. A smile graced his expression.

  Maybe because I told him I liked his penis?

  Oh, crap. She had, hadn’t she?

  “Good dawning, katya.” His sexy rumble sent shivers coursing down her spine.

  Double crap! He was awake, and he might want to talk about what they’d talked about last night. Trying not to panic, she jerked to her feet, taking the sheet with her, leaving his nakedness in full view. She gasped.

  She tried not to look; she really did. But wow! Bigger than I remember. “What happened after I passed out?”

  Cozy as a kitchen, he stretched, his mouth curling in a lazy smile. The kind of smile that always preceded trouble. “Nothing. Unfortunately.”

  “How did we get here?” She’d been in no condition to drive, but she was the only designated drive. Jorlan didn’t have a license, and there was no way he’d navigated the roads at night without crashing.

  Eyeing her through half-lowered lids, he said, “What do you recall about our time at the bar?”

  “Not much—” Wrong. Memories flooded her. How he’d flirted, and she’d gotten lippy with Purple. How they’d fought, and only moments later she’d plastered herself against Jorlan to dance. How she’d admitted his sexiness, and wondered if they were fated to be together.

  Were they?

  Now, her cheeks warmed. “Please excuse me. I need to use the bathroom.” And bury my head in mental sand for a bit.

  She didn’t wait for his response, just rushed into the bathroom, shut and locked the door. Leaning against it, she slid to her butt and pulled her knees to her chest.

  Gazing into the mirror, she watched her lips lift in a smile. Then she sighed. Obviously, she had feelings for Jorlan. Strong ones. She needed to decide one way or the other. B
e with him or not. Marry him or not. Travel to his planet with him or not. No more stringing him along with her indecision. It wasn’t fair to him, and it wasn’t fair to herself.

  So, what was she going to do?

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  THE NEW DAWNING had begun so sweetly. Jorlan had awoken with Katie in his arms. Now he resented the fact that they had to leave the rented chamber to visit the psychic. He would prefer to coax her back into bed.

  He stroked his throbbing erection. One day soon, they were going to make love.

  She would say yes to his proposal. He knew it, felt it. After all, the woman wanted him as much as he wanted her, and they both hated the thought of the other with anyone else.

  When she emerged from the bathroom, she would not look his way, and did not speak. He figured the truth about her feelings had frightened her, and he decided to give her time to accept it.

  She had to accept it.

  As he’d held her in his arms last night, he’d never wanted to let go. He needed more from her. More time, more everything.

  He cleaned up and dressed, and they took off. At the new psychic’s abode, he finally, at long last discovered what he had been searching for since first awakening to Katie’s kiss. Magic.

  Magic enveloped him the moment he stepped inside the shop. He paused a moment, breathing in the sweet, dew-kissed essence so like the air of his homeland. Yet, as he stood with the wondrous scent in his nostrils, he had trouble believing this much-anticipated moment was upon him. How long had he prayed for this? How long had he wished?

  Too long.

  Squaring his shoulders, he took in every detail. Beige carpet and walls. No frivolous knickknacks for sale. There was only a couch, ten chairs and a side table.

  Several people loitered about, talking, but Jorlan paid them no heed. He was too intent on the lone man behind a built-in counter. Short, with thinning brown hair, eye spectacles and high bladelike cheekbones sharp enough to cut glass.

  “This is it, isn’t it?” Katie asked, at his side. Those were the first words she’d spoken to him since emerging from the bathroom.

  A weaker male might have viewed her silence a sign of pending rejection. Not Jorlan. Katie was a warrior woman. In the end, fear would not dissuade her.