She swung her feet off the bed. She wasn’t in chains like the man she had seen at the lab, but there could be men stationed outside the door.
“Oh, no. He caught me. I’m going to die.” Terror, unlike any she’d ever felt gripped her. She had to get out of there, wherever there was. No way was she going to let Bolin Lee kill her so easily. Evelyn stood up, but dizziness assailed her. Holding on to the bed, she steadied herself as her knees threatened to give way.
“Whoa, what are you doing out of bed?”
She gasped. Forgetting about her lightheadedness, she swung around, nearly dropping to the carpeted floor. Strong hands gripped her elbows, bringing her back to her feet.
“You should sit down, Evelyn.”
She stared up the concerned and incredibly handsome face. It was the face she had seen in her dreams. While she was sleeping in the strange bed, she’d seen his face several times. It seemed she hadn’t been dreaming. Confusion joined the fear and panic swirling in her mind.
“P-please just let me go. I’ll leave Washington. You’ll never see me again, I swear.”
The man stared at her in confusion. “Calm down, honey. I won’t hurt you.” He reluctantly let her go and held both hands up. “I just came to check on you that’s all.” Michael stared at the woman, slowly backing away from him.
Evelyn frowned. Did he just call her honey? Piercing blue eyes were fixed on her face. He remained still. She took the chance to study him. He was tall, about six feet four inches, and broad shouldered. His head of thick black hair was a bit too long, giving him a bad boy edge. The man was too good-looking for his own good. The pure masculine power he exuded wasn’t lost on her.
What the hell am I doing? Evelyn couldn’t believe she was lusting over a man who was probably hired by Bolin Lee to end her life. Since when did she, Evelyn Peters, lose her good senses over a man? He’d said he wasn’t going to hurt her. Should she believe him? She took a deep breath and met his eyes. For once, she was glad she had her gift. Evelyn tapped into his emotions.
There was no wave of violence coming from him. All she felt was a calmness. His aura mirrored his posture and his neutral expression. There was something else beneath his calmness. It made Evelyn blush profusely. He was interested in her sexually. Oh my. Her vaginal muscles actually clenched in response. She blinked. “Y-you don’t work for Mr. Lee?”
“I’m not the type to work for anyone, honey,” he drawled.
She didn’t doubt it. He seemed like the alpha type. “How do you know my name?”
He nodded toward a dresser where her purse sat. “I peeked at your driver’s license, Evelyn.”
God, the way he drawled her name with that sexy voice made her boring name sound exotic. Focus Evelyn. “How did I get here?” She kept her eyes on him, watching his every move.
He took a step forward and she retreated, so he stopped and sat in a chair. “Please, Evelyn sit down before you fall down. I won’t hurt you, I swear. I’m Michael Stone, by the way.”
The smile he gave her nearly made her swoon. He was right, she really should sit down. Evelyn perched on the bed.
“Good girl,” Michael cooed, as if she was a scared child. “You can relax. You’re completely safe here.”
“Where am I?”
“My home. You’re in the Cascade Mountains. Do you remember driving up here?” She nodded. “You were in an accident. You hit your head and were unconscious when I found you. I brought you back here, cleaned you up and patched up your wound.”
He cleaned her up? Evelyn glanced down. A gasp escaped her lips. She was clad in only an over-sized white t-shirt, which she assumed was Michael’s.
He grinned, his gaze running over her. “Don’t worry honey, I didn’t see anything. Scouts honor.”
Evelyn’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Good. Thank you for all your help. And I would appreciate it if you stopped calling me honey.” It disturbed her that she liked it.
“Sure thing, hon—Evelyn.” Michael stood up. “I’m going to head downstairs and make you some breakfast. Come down when you’re ready. Your clothes are over there.” He pointed to an arm chair where her clothes were neatly folded.
“Oh, no I—” He was gone before she could refuse. She didn’t intend on staying. There were dangerous people after her. Michael seemed like a good man. She didn’t want to involve him in her mess.
Evelyn dressed as quickly as she could, ignoring the killer headache she had. Grabbing her purse and keys beside it, she headed onto what looked like a terrace. Her heart plummeted when she got outside.
“Shit.” She stood on a second-floor balcony. There was no escaping from there.
“Looking for something?”
She yelped and wheeled around. “Michael, I thought you said you were going downstairs.” Evelyn frowned. Wasn’t his hair longer a minute ago? Her hand flew to the bandage on her forehead. Maybe she was concussed. It wasn’t just his hair. His features were the same, but his demeanor, his aura was somehow different. This Michael wasn’t easy going. He didn’t wear the mischievous grin he had when she’d first seen him. This Michael was much more serious, his face set in grim lines. “You’re um… different.”
His brows lifted. “That’s because I’m not Michael. I’m his brother, Victor.”
Twins. Why didn’t her usually fast brain pick up on that? “Good Lord, there’s two of you.” Realizing she spoke out loud, she flushed. Two sexy hunks were more than she could handle. “N-nice to meet you Victor, I’m Evelyn Peters.”
“I know.” Blue eyes, like Michael’s but less friendly seemed to look into her very soul. It was almost like he was sizing her up. She could feel his mistrust of her, but she could feel his physical attraction for her radiating off of him in waves. If it weren’t for her extraordinary perceptiveness, she would have assumed he didn’t like her.
“I was just—”
“Looking for an escape?” He didn’t smile.
She shrugged. “Not that I don’t appreciate your kindness.”
“My brother’s kindness. He was the one who found you and brought you here.”
“But it’s your home too, right? So, thank you for allowing me to spend the night. It would be best if I get going.” Victor continued to study her intently, making her feel a bit uncomfortable.
“You can’t leave yet.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I went for your car this morning. It won’t start.”
Oh, right. It was wrapped around a damn tree. That part had skipped her mind. Her shoulder’s sagged. “Damn it. I really need to leave.”
“I managed to get it back here. It’s being worked on. I guess you have to take my brother up on his offer of breakfast.”
Was that a shadow of a smile on his lips? It was hard for her to tell. Goodness, the man was intense, so unlike his twin. She nodded. “Yes, I guess so.”
*****
“I think she’s running from something or someone.”
Victor’s brows shot up. “You think? It’s quite obvious, Michael.” He turned to eye Evelyn out the kitchen window. She had been hovering over Marcus, who was working on her car, all morning. After three days of sizing her up, making certain she wasn’t some kind of spy sent by the humans who he was sure had taken one of their own, he felt comfortable having her around the others. They had all taken a liking to Evelyn.
It was evident that she was on the run. She was jumpy, seemingly always ready to run on a second’s notice. She constantly asked when her car would be ready to drive. She was anxious to leave. The problem was, he didn’t want her to. Unlike Michael, he hadn’t followed her around like a love-sick puppy, but she had managed to get under his skin, with her big brown eyes and sweet smile.
Victor found himself lying awake at nights, fantasizing about kissing her, her naked beneath him, her shapely legs wrapped around his waist. He was getting hard just thinking about it.
“Victor, did you hear what I just said?”
“Hmm
m?”
Michael chuckled. “I see you’re not as immune to Evelyn’s charms as you pretend to be.”
Victor’s cheeks colored. Hell, he didn’t even know he was capable of blushing. Victor, no-nonsense leader of his clan, and lethal when needed, actually blushed. “I—she’s—I admit it, I like her.” He more than liked her. “There’s something about her, like she—”
“Was meant to be yours,” Michael finished.
Victor’s gaze swung to his brother. He was staring out the window at Evelyn, with a faraway expression. “You feel it too.”
“Yes. Do you think Evelyn belongs to the both of us?”
“It’s happened before.” It was common knowledge that twin dragon shifters could share the same woman. Victor had no idea how it would work. Would there be jealousy between him and his brother if they both claimed the same woman? He shook his head slightly. No, it was impossible for anyone to come between him and his twin. Their bond was unbreakable. “She intends to leave us, Michael,” Victor reminded him. “We can’t force her to stay.”
“All we have to do is find out why she’s running scared, and then convince her that she belongs here, with us.”
“You make it sound it sound so easy.”
They both fell silent and continued watching Evelyn. Victor’s jaw clenched when Marcus said something to her, and she rewarded him with a brilliant smile. Jealousy coursed through him. He should be on the receiving end of that smile. For a second, he felt a sliver of fear. What if he felt the same pang of jealousy when he saw Evelyn with his brother?
“If she is truly our mate, it will be different with us, Victor.” Michael turned to him with a reassuring grin.
“Stay out of my head, will you?” Victor sighed. “I suppose you’re right, though.”
Evelyn nibbled on her lower lip. “When do you think my car will be ready, Marcus? Not that I’m rushing you or anything.”
“Of course, you’re not,” Marcus murmured sarcastically.
She smiled. “I’m sorry, Marcus. Carry on. I won’t ask again.”
“That’s what you said ten minutes ago, and then you asked two more times after that.”
Evelyn smiled again. She liked Marcus. He was kind and had a sense of humor. She’d met just about everyone living in the area and was curious as to why so many people choose to live so far up the mountain range, but she never voiced her interest. She didn’t want to come off as a meddler.
From what she gathered in her short stay, Michael and Victor Stone, the two men who were kind enough to open their home to her, were the rulers of the small community. They were treated and looked upon with respect. They also exuded the confidence and power of leaders. Thinking of both men now made her heart flutter.
“Earth to Evelyn.”
“Huh?” Marcus’s voice penetrated her thoughts.
“You should go inside before you freeze to death. I think your brain is already freezing. You’ve been staring into space for a few minutes.”
She smiled. “You’re just trying to get rid of me.” She held up both palms. “I’m leaving. Later.”
Marcus winked and went back to work. She glanced back at him wondering why he seemed so comfortable in the cold. He wore nothing but jeans and a thin shirt, for goodness sake. She shrugged and continued toward her twins’ cabin. Whoa, her twins? Where had that thought come from?
They certainly weren’t hers, but they were the closest she had to friends right now. She felt accepted and safe. There was none of her usual social awkwardness around them. It was too bad she had to leave soon. She really needed to get away from everyone. Maybe she should make a run for it without her car.
What if Dr. Lee knew where she was? What would he do to everyone there if he arrived? She closed the door and sagged against it. “I can’t stay here.”
“Of course, you can.”
Evelyn jumped, her gaze swinging to the sound of the voice. “Michael, Victor. I—what are you doing here?” Stupid question. She was in their kitchen. “I mean, I didn’t know you were in here. I was just checking on my car.”
“So you can high tail it out of here?” Michael gave her a small smile.
“Well—” Yeah. “I don’t want to overstay my welcome.” Her eyes shifted to Victor. As usual, he was unsmiling, his penetrating eyes fixed on her.
“That’s not possible,” he stated. “You can stay as long as you like.”
She’d expected such an invitation from Michael. Coming from Victor, it was surprising. “Oh, that’s kind, but I can’t stay much longer. I’m—” on the run, she finished silently. “I’m sure you want your room back, Michael.”
“I like you in my bed.” Michael’s low suggestive tone made Evelyn’s breath hitch in her chest. The images his words brought up took her pulse rate up a few notches.
What the hell did she say to that? Should she tell him that she liked being in his bed too, and that she wished he would join her in it? She wouldn’t mind if Victor wanted in on the action, as well. Evelyn couldn’t believe the direction her thoughts had gone. Being on the run sure did change a woman. The danger and uncertainty had to be the factors that fueled the surge of lust she felt.
Victor scowled at his brother. “You’re making her uncomfortable.”
“I’m sorry, Evelyn,” Michael immediately apologized, however his wicked grin remained intact.
“I’m uh, going upstairs.” She scurried off.
Victor turned to Michael. “You idiot,” he hissed. “Nice job scaring her off. I should go and talk to her. You stay here and try to keep your dick in your pants.” He took off after Evelyn.
Evelyn sank onto the bed, her knees unable to support her. She was experiencing too many emotions at once. Her fear and desire beat at her. A knock sounded and she looked up to see Victor hesitantly entering. He looked uncertain, unlike his usual confident self. She gazed at him as he walked toward her.
“I came to apologize for my brother. He says too much sometimes. If you were offended—”
“Oh, no.” Her eyes widened. “There’re no need to apologize. I wasn’t offended at all.” How did she tell him that she hadn’t run to get away from them, but from her own feelings?
He perched beside her. “Okay, good. I meant what I said earlier, Evelyn. You can stay here as long as you like. My brother and I would love to keep you—I mean have you—shit my words aren’t coming right. What I’m trying to say is we want you to stay.” He rubbed the back of his neck, shifting uncomfortably. “I’m not good at conversation. Michael is the smooth operator in the family.”
Evelyn relaxed, letting out a laugh. “Don’t worry about it. Social awkwardness is my curse as well.”
“You seem quite sociable to me. I’ve watched you over the past few days, the way you interact with everyone here. They all love you. Michael and I do too.”
Evelyn blinked. Did he realize he just said he and his bother loved her? To be loved by not one but so many warmed her. She was alone in the world and craving emotional connection. She knew he couldn’t possible mean much by it.
The brush of a finger against her cheek pulled her from her despair. “Tell me what you’re running from, Evelyn.”
She blinked, bringing Victor’s face into focus. He was so close that if she leaned forward their lips would touch. “What makes you think I’m running from anything?”
He cocked an eyebrow, his lips twisting wryly. She could imagine how obvious it was. She’d been jumpy since the minute she woke up in Michael’s bed.
“You can tell us, Evelyn.”
Her eyes swung to the door. Michael leaned against the wall. When had he arrived? For such big men, they sure moved quietly. She exhaled. She owed them an explanation. Maybe not the entire truth because they would think she was insane, but she had to give them something.
“I am running from someone. I’m putting the two of you and everyone else here at risk. The person after me is capable of terrible violence. I’m afraid of what he will do to anyone I happ
ened to be around if he finds me.” God, it felt good to get at least that much off of her chest.
A brief moment of silence followed her confession. “We can protect you.” It was Victor who broke the silence.
Evelyn shook her head. “How? I told you this man is dangerous.” Images of the man she’d seen chained up flashed in her mind. All color seeped from her face at the thought that Bolin Lee could do the same to her and the two men she had come to care about in such a short time.
Michael and Victor shared a look. She got the impression they were keeping something from her. Well, she was keeping a major part of her story from them, so all was fair.
“Just trust us, Evelyn”
She glanced at Michael. “I’ve depended on myself for so long,” she whispered.
“You’re not alone anymore,” Victor said.
Before she could voice that she barely knew them and they didn’t know her, she found herself in Victor’s arms, his mouth covering hers.
*****
Victor swallowed Evelyn’s surprised gasp. He hadn’t intended to pull her against him so abruptly, but the near compulsion to touch her had overridden his good sense. The instant his lips connected with hers, every cell that made up his body rejoiced. His mouth moved coaxingly over hers at first, until her lips parted and he kissed her with greater intensity. He barely registered the small hands pushing against his chest. Reluctantly, he lifted his head. Wide brown eyes stared at him.
“Victor, what are you doing?” Evelyn’s breaths came out in short puffs. She eyed Michael leaning against the doorway with his arms folded. To her surprise, she detected no anger or jealousy coming from him. His expression remained neutral. Only his eyes had darkened with lust.
Michael’s lips lifted. “There’s no need to be shy with us, Evelyn.”
Pregnant to an Alien King Box Set Page 121
