“Then we’d better start with you. I’m so antsy, I’m ready to jump her bones right now. I think I’ll go for a run before trying to sleep.”
“Be careful.”
Raoul chuckled. “If anything bothers me, I’ll eat it.”
Aleron stretched out on the too-small sofa. He heard the door click shut and the lock snap. He’d prefer Raoul not go out on his own, but he couldn’t go with him and leave Jewel by herself.
Maybe Garth was awake. He’d try and send him a telepathic message about Raoul. If Garth got it, he’d join Raoul.
Raoul’s suggestion that Aleron start trying to win Jewel over pleased him. Although his patience wasn’t everlasting, he did manage better than Raoul. He’d sleep until dawn and then surprise Jewel with breakfast. Might as well begin the enticement with a good meal.
* * * *
Jewel picked up their telepathic conversation. They weren’t going to be pleased when they learned she knew their plans. A twinge of guilt made her think maybe she should tell them about herself. But she couldn’t, at least not until she had no doubts as to their reaction. Her father’s warnings were too engraved in her brain. Even if she fully trusted them, it wouldn’t be easy to share what she’d hidden so many years.
She slept restlessly, and when she woke up, just as the sunlight hit her window, she remembered her dream. It was full of silver wolves, a golden eagle, and huge black birds. Her heart pounded, and goose bumps covered her arms.
Jewel sprinted to her shower and got under the warm water. She set the showerhead to pulsate the stream against her body until her muscles relaxed and her head cleared. She turned off the water and reached around the shower curtain for her towel. A tanned hand put the soft material over her arm. She yanked her arm back.
“What are you doing in my bathroom?”
“Just came in to tell you to hurry. Breakfast is ready.”
“You can’t just invade my space.”
“I just did. See you in the kitchen.”
His chuckle when he went out the door heightened her determination to give him a set down. He didn’t have free rein of her personal space.
But first, she’d better dress. Talking with him while dressed only in a towel might be ineffective. She grinned at the thought. Most definitely, he’d have his mind right where she didn’t want it. Where she didn’t want it for now, anyway. Later, she might change her mind.
Her faded blue T-shirt, old, paint-stained jeans, and sneakers were her favorite attire for painting. She didn’t plan on dressing up every day because Raoul and Aleron were here. And she never did much with her hair. Today, she tied it back with a scarf.
When she went into the kitchen, Aleron glanced around. He looked her up and down and grinned. “You look about eighteen.” He scooped eggs, sausage, and potatoes onto her plate and put it on the table in front of where she’d sat. Then he poured coffee and juice.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked.
“I’ll be right with you.”
He fixed his plate and coffee and sat across from her. “Did you sleep well?”
“Not really. I had nightmares.”
“If you’ll let me sleep with you tonight, I’ll hold you in my arms and keep the monsters away.”
She liked his grin. His sensuous mouth quirked up at one corner and his eyes shone with mirth. He’d dressed all in black. His T-shirt stretched across a wide, muscled chest, and his jeans hugged his hips and long legs. A black belt with a silver buckle, with an engraved eagle on it, fastened around his narrow waist. Even his boots were black with silver trim.
“You look dangerous.” Jewel was shocked at the words. She’d been thinking them but hadn’t meant to say them aloud. Her face flushed with warmth.
“I can be. Do you think I’d hurt you?”
“Not physically. But if I began to care for you and—or—Raoul, then my heart might get hurt.”
“We won’t change our minds.”
“You don’t know me that well.”
“What is there we don’t know? Do you have a deep dark secret?”
From his tone, Jewel knew he was teasing. Yet his words were too close for comfort. “What if I did?”
“I still can’t imagine anything drastic enough to change our minds. Eat. The food is getting cold.”
She was hungry, and he was a good cook. She cleaned her plate and drank a second cup of coffee.
Jewel leaned her elbows on the table and held her cup close to her lips. “Tell me what it’s like to fly.”
“I wish I could take you up with me. No description can do justice to the sensations of being free, soaring on the wind, your body light, responsive to every movement. When I’m just having fun I think of music in my head then I do a flying ballet with the blue sky as my backdrop.”
“Will you do one low enough so I can see it?” Jewel leaned forward eagerly.
“I will. When we’ve conquered the bad guys.”
“Wonderful. Also, I’d love to paint you and Raoul when you’re shifted.”
“We’ll see.” Aleron got up and started putting the dishes in the sink.
“I’ll do the cleaning.”
“No. Go paint for a while. It’s early, but by nine Mitch will be wanting to meet at the ranch house, and you’re going with me.”
Jewel didn’t bother arguing. It wasted time when she could be working on her current project. Aleron whistled as he cleaned. It wasn’t so difficult having him around. Raoul didn’t have as calm a demeanor, and yet she missed his vitality. The two were a good mix, like Cad and Garth for Rae. Maybe she’d ask Rae how she dealt with their differences.
Morning sunlight streamed in the front bedroom. Jewel studied her almost-completed work and began to mix her colors. When she began to paint, she lost track of time.
She sensed Aleron and glanced up after completing the last corner. The painting was finished.
Aleron leaned against the frame of the door. His taut body and the hunger showing in the stark lines of his lean face had her blood humming. Desire shone in his midnight-blue eyes, and the air between them shimmered.
He was dangerous. Her puny effort to calm her response was unsuccessful. She barely held herself back from walking to him and sliding her body all over his. She’d nip his lower lip and kiss his strong neck right where his heart’s blood pulsed. Her hips would rub against his hard cock outlined by his tight jeans.
She’d never felt this sensuous or such an earthy desire. Her lack of control bothered her because she knew it was only a matter of hours before his enticing manner won her over. Her hunger for him was an ache deep inside. It hurt to hold herself back.
A sharp ring of a phone broke the spell, but Aleron took his time straightening. The look on his face told her this wasn’t over. He pulled his cell out of his pocket and snapped it open.
“Hello?”
Jewel saw him glance at his watch. He looked at her. “Can you be ready in fifteen minutes?” She nodded yes.
“We’ll be there. I’m bringing Jewel. See you.” When he ended the call he immediately dialed another number. “Raoul, are you going to ride with us to the meeting? All right, we need to leave soon.” Aleron clicked his cell phone shut.
“You’d better change. We’ll pick up where we left off this evening.”
“I doubt it. Raoul will be babysitting me tonight.”
She started toward her bedroom.
“We decided I’d stay with you.” His husky voice melted her insides. Two together seemed easier to fend off than one hunky man with seduction on his mind.
“I’ll be out in a minute.” She closed her door and leaned against it. Her inner core was hot and needy. She’d been avoiding thoughts of tonight, but he’d brought the thought to the forefront in her mind. It was going to be a long day.
Chapter Four
Jewel slipped into a seat beside Raoul at Aleron’s instruction. He sat on her other side. All the people staying downstairs had gathered in the meeting room.
This included the leaders of all three tribes, their Priestesses, the leaders’ family members, and other important tribe members.
Mitch stood. “It’s time to discuss how we’re going to try and stop this invasion. Between all our scientists, the net, which the third tribe had created and gave to us to use, has finally been activated. It had to be modified to cover the larger area of our property. No one can get out or onto the ranch without going through our heavily guarded gates. We have cameras at the gates so the person down here in charge of the net can see who they’re letting in or out before the net is deactivated at that one spot.” Mitch paced across the floor.
“Our main problem is we don’t know how many of the enemy got caught inside our fences. So we must be cautious and alert. The warriors from our planet who landed here some months ago are determined to take control of all three tribes and then make war on this world we’ve adopted. We have to make sure these invaders are stopped here. We have the best ability to conquer them. Keep your eyes and ears alert and report any suspicious actions or conversations. Nothing is too small to be overlooked.
Now Garth has something to relay to you.” Mitch sat, and Garth took his place.
Garth immediately got to the heart of his speech. “Soon everyone will know why our tribe was ostracized and sent off on their own.” Garth explained about the shape-shifting. “When our people first crashed on earth and were stranded here, they became cautious of people they met. So when part of the third tribe joined up with gypsies, the leaders of the other two tribes were not happy. Then the first child of one of our men and one of the gypsy women was born a shape-shifter. This brought about the total division of tribes.”
Garth stopped talking for a second and glanced at the faces in front of him. They were giving him their undivided attention. Some looked very surprised. He continued. “Shape-shifting had been starting to occur on our home planet and our forefathers feared the changes and repercussions there, so they were not inclined to accept it among our tribe here on earth. From old scrolls we read that this was when the rift between us all occurred.” He waited a moment. “Are there any questions?”
“Do all of you shape-shift?” one man asked.
“No, only some of us. The rest of the tribe decided to be ostracized with us to keep our tribe together.”
“What do you shape-shift into?” another warrior asked.
“Many various animals and birds, such as silver wolves and eagles and hawks but also other types. To show you what I’m talking about, I’m going to change. You can come up to me and touch me. I won’t hurt you.” He blinked, and his white leopard appeared. Several gasps were heard, and then Mitch’s and Daren’s main warriors rose to come to the front.
Jack Talisman, one of the ranch’s doctors, knelt at Garth’s side. He rubbed Garth’s fur. Garth gave him a friendly butt with his big head, and Jack tipped over. Everyone laughed, lightening the tense atmosphere. One by one, the warriors looked and touched. When they went back to their seats, Garth shifted back.
He asked the others in the room who could shift to do so now.
Aleron and Raoul went to the front, where there was more room, and two other men Jewel hadn’t met joined them. Aleron shifted and spread his wings.
She heard someone whisper, “I saw him in the sky yesterday tangling with the black birds.” Shivers went down Jewel’s spine. He might have been killed.
Then Raoul got her attention as he changed into his silver wolf. One of the other men shifted into a slightly smaller wolf and the last one into a tiger. He growled, and many in the audience jumped then laughed.
Garth spoke, “We hope the three tribes can reunite and that we will be accepted with our differences. In this battle, our shape-shifters will be an asset.”
The audience stood as one, clapped, and yelled, “Yes.” The shifters changed and smiled back at the people accepting them.
It was a start. Jewel hoped the rest of the tribes agreed. But how would they react to her, a woman shifter? Familiar fear tightened her throat. She could be an asset, too, if only they’d accept her and let her help.
Mitch went to the front, and everyone else sat. “As I said, the net is up. It will protect us from anyone outside, but we must remember a certain number of our enemy have likely been caught inside our property. So be on your guard. We’re not sure what they’ll try next, especially the ones off the ranch. They won’t give up. Report any unusual occurrences. Garth and some of his men will be guarding at night in their animal forms. And our warriors will also have a unit out day and night. And the longer we can keep the enemy unaware of our shape-shifters, the better. Any further questions?”
Raoul and Aleron had returned to Jewel’s side. Raoul had his arm across the back of her chair, and Aleron had taken her hand. Their scent was stronger since they’d shifted, and waves of heat surrounded them. Her hunger for them increased no matter how she tried to control her emotions. It was tiring and wearing her down. The men knew what they were doing.
She sat forward and pulled her hand away from Aleron then frowned at each of them. The feelings they aroused were all mixed up with the secret hanging over her head, and her own uncertainty about marriage and having two husbands. It was a real change when she hadn’t even considered marrying one a short time ago. She needed more time to think and talk with her father.
“Leave me alone.”
“Never.”
The cat in her wanted to spring out and snarl at them. Maybe this would be a good time. Then all the leaders and warriors would know at once. But fear instilled in her at a young age held her back.
As soon as the meeting was finished, Jewel walked across the room and joined Sara, Rae, and the Priestess. She glanced back. Raoul and Aleron were surrounded by warriors shaking their hands and talking. She was proud of how her people had accepted them.
Sara gave her a hug. “You look tired and worried.”
“A little. Being forced to be around people so much is exhausting to me. I’m so used to my cabin in the woods, my painting, and the solitude.”
Elle, the Priestess, gave her a strange look. “Most women would hate such a solitary life.”
Jewel sensed Elle suspected there was more to her desire to be alone than her painting. She shrugged. “One of my peculiarities. We all have them.”
“I’d like to see your paintings. Do you have some with you?” Elle asked.
“Yes, at the cabin I’m using until I can return home. Come for tea this afternoon and I’ll show you.”
“But the two of you can’t go alone,” Sara said. “It’s too dangerous.” She spread her hands out to include herself and Rae. “Why don’t we all go?”
“Like Mitch and Daren or any of our husbands would let us upstairs without a warrior or two,” Rae said.
“No problem. I’ll escort you ladies,” Aleron said.
Jewel had caught his scent just before he spoke. She turned to face him. “I do not need constant protection.”
“You do, and as Rae said, all their husbands would say the same.”
“You are not my husband.”
“It’s only a matter of time, darlin’. We won’t take no for an answer. Let me know when you ladies want to go.” He bowed and gave them his killer smile. Jewel was annoyed and angry.
“Elle, you’d better get ready. We’re going to have another wedding soon,” Sara teased.
“Yes, we all resist, but inevitably we give in,” Rae added.
She winked at Jewel.
Jewel didn’t respond to their comments. She was afraid they might be right.
The morning was quiet. Most of the men stayed huddled in the conference room, discussing war plans, Jewel supposed. She’d brought her pencils and paper and spent the time doing quick sketches of Sara, Rae, and Elle.
“You’re very talented.” Elle leaned over Jewel’s shoulder as she worked on a sketch of Sara’s mother-in-law, Mrs. Stanton.
“Could you do a painting from that sketch?” Mrs. Stanton aske
d. “I’d love to surprise my husband with the painting for his birthday. It’s two months from now, and I haven’t been able to think of a thing he wants or needs. But he’d like your painting of me, I’m sure.”
“I have one more commissioned painting to finish. I’ll start on your request right afterward. But you might want a different setting. If so, I can do a new sketch.”
“Wonderful. We can discuss the size of the painting and price when you’re ready to start.”
The men returned, and Aleron told the others he was taking the women to Jewel’s cabin for a brief visit. Daren and Cad said they’d go along.
“We can’t take any chances. The enemy would have a lot of leverage if they got one of our women, and they know it. We were lucky to get Rae back,” Daren said.
Aleron and Jewel led the way to the trucks. Soon they were all on their way. Anxiety churned in Jewel’s stomach. She wasn’t used to showing her paintings to a group of people. She dealt with customers more on a one-to-one basis. And she was worried about Elle. She feared Elle suspected she was hiding something. The Priestess was especially receptive to emotional distress. She might have picked up on Jewel’s.
In minutes, they were at the cabin and inside. Jewel motioned them into the front bedroom. “The painting on the easel I just finished. The one leaning against the wall needs a little more done to it before I can send it to the person that requested it.” She showed them the picture the man had sent and asked her to paint.
Sara, Rae, Elle, and Mrs. Stanton walked around the pictures and studied them. Mrs. Stanton looked across at Jewel.
“You are extremely talented. How do you get your customers?”
Jewel explained how most of her business was by word of mouth and also through the Internet. “As you see by the signature, I don’t use my real name.”
She almost sighed with relief when they started to leave. She’d never been comfortable with lots of praise. Elle was the last out before Jewel. Elle stopped in the doorway.
“You will come and talk with me privately now. I’ll ask Aleron to drop us off. Pruet is home, and he can bring you back.”
Commando Cowboys Entice Their Beauty [Wyoming Warriors 6] Page 4
