by Karen Kelley
The only reason she had gotten them together was because they liked each other, and that was the only reason. Shintara was only trying to get her to shift into a hawk. Ria wasn’t ready.
Don’t forget your promise, Shintara said.
I only promised I would try to overcome my fear. Her hands began to sweat at the thought of shifting again.
Kristor reached across the seat and squeezed her hand. “Tonight we won’t think about anything except enjoying each other’s company.”
Had he read her mind? Heard her conversation with Shintara? No, of course, he hadn’t.
He lightly rubbed his thumb over the palm of her hand. Her body tingled and she found herself wanting more. The way he looked at her, she kind of thought he might, too. It would be difficult for her when he left. No man had ever made her feel the way Kristor did.
They arrived at the restaurant, and after they went inside, and the waitress seated them, Neil talked the girls into trying an Italian margarita. Kristor chose his usual orange soda, even when the waiter gave him a funny look. Neil had iced sweet tea since he was driving.
“The restaurant is beautiful. I love the Tuscan look,” Carly shyly spoke up.
“Have you ever been to Italy?” Neil asked.
She shook her head. “I’ve never left Texas.”
“You’re a travel agent. I figured you’d traveled all over the place before I moved back.”
“She’d love to, but we’ve never had the time to go,” Ria said. “At least, not at the same time. I’ve been busy starting my business. Then when I could go, she’s had something to do.”
“But it never stopped us from dreaming,” Carly said.
“Maybe we can manage a trip sometime,” Neil suggested. “My hours are a little more flexible, and I would love the chance to travel. I bet you know a lot of places that would be great to visit.”
“Oh, uh, I…” Carly blushed as she looked around the table at everyone.
“Sorry,” Neil quickly spoke up. “I guess I’m moving a little too fast.”
Carly shook her head. “No, it’s just that…” Her posture relaxed and she smiled. “I think I might like that.”
She let out a breath as if it had taken a lot for her to admit that much. This was working out a lot better than Ria could have hoped.
They ate dinner, then saw a new show that was out. A romance with a happily-ever-after kind of ending that was the cherry on top of their evening, and left Ria feeling warm. Neil dropped Kristor off at her parents’ home, then drove Ria to her house.
“I’ll get my things tomorrow,” Carly told Ria.
Ria kept a straight face. She knew Carly didn’t want to end her evening with Neil quite so soon. She nodded and shut the car door. They waited until she had her front door open before driving off.
Ria tossed her keys on the table by the door, then stepped back outside to enjoy the lazy summer breeze that whispered through the pines. She felt good that the evening had gone so well. This was what Carly had needed.
As she leaned against the porch post a hawk landed on the railing. She didn’t move, didn’t breathe, then realized who the hawk was.
“Hello,” she said softly.
Before she could do much more than that, a fog rolled in, wrapping around her. She heard his groan. Before the fog could even clear, Kristor picked her up in his arms and carried her inside.
“I’ve wanted to pull you close to me all evening, but I understand why you needed to take care of your friend, so she would not be so alone when you leave her.”
When she wiggled, he set her on her feet. “That is not why I was doing it. I did it because Neil likes her. She likes him, too, and they were taking forever, and feeling miserable because of it.”
He stood tall, and very naked. Her gaze couldn’t help but drop lower. Her mouth went dry as she remembered how it felt when he sank inside her moist heat.
“Even now you want me.”
Her gaze jerked up. “Just because I want you doesn’t mean I want to travel to your planet.”
Her eyes drifted downward again. She shook her head in an attempt to clear it of her naughty thoughts, and what she’d like to be doing right now.
“Wait here,” she said and hurried to the bathroom. She grabbed the largest towel she had and marched back into the living room, shoving it toward him. “Put this around you.”
“You do not like my naked form?” he asked, but took the towel and knotted it at his waist.
“It’s hard—”
“You make me that way.” He took a step closer.
Ria quickly backed up. “That’s not what I was talking about. It’s hard…I mean, difficult to talk to a naked man.”
Especially when she already wanted to jump his bones. He certainly didn’t make her life easy, but then, she didn’t think that was his intention.
“Then what did you want to speak about?” he asked.
“I won’t be going back with you, and you can’t take me back by force.”
“Yes, I can. My strength is superior. Remember, I am a warrior. You don’t even have any muscles. Your puny strength is no match for me.”
“I have plenty of muscles, thank you very much!”
“Not as many as I do.”
That was easy to see when she was looking at such a broad chest and all those sexy muscles. She quickly cleared her mind and squared her shoulders. Not that she really thought he would be intimidated, but she wanted him to see she wasn’t backing down. Not one little inch.
“I won’t be leaving with you, and I know you won’t force me. It’s just not in you.” She crossed her arms in front of her and smiled smugly.
His forehead wrinkled when his eyebrows drew together. “I am a warrior.”
“So you’ve pointed out more than once. But you would never force a woman to do something against her will.”
His lips clamped together, but just as quickly, he relaxed and sauntered toward her. For a moment, she couldn’t think as her nipples strained against her bra.
She quickly took a step back, holding up her hand in front of her. “No, I won’t let you seduce me into leaving with you, either.”
“You’re very obstinate.” He strode to the front porch.
Ria waited, but when he didn’t return, she walked to the door and looked out. The fog was back. She waited for it to clear. When it did, her towel was on the front porch. She went outside and picked it up.
Her body ached to feel his touch, to feel him buried deep inside her. But she knew the other side of her bed would be cold tonight.
And so would she.
You’re the obstinate one, Labrinon told Kristor. Throw the woman over your shoulder and force her to go with you. Be done with this once and for all. I grow weary of Earth and stubborn Earth women.
You know I can’t. I swore an oath to my mother.
She will forgive you.
Have you forgotten the spell she cast on me when I refused to dance with the Princess Quara? It made me impotent for many days…and nights.
A mere inconvenience.
Easy for you to say, Kristor grumbled.
You’ll have to continue seducing her. It may take longer than I had thought. You’re losing your touch. A few years ago, you could have had her panting to do your bidding.
I am not old. Ria is only very stubborn. I like that about her.
That’s where you are similar—unfortunately.
I will convince her to leave with me.
Some men lose their minds when separated from their lifemates. What will you do if she continues to refuse?
Kristor didn’t voice his thoughts. He’d already begun to think about an alternative plan.
You can’t remain on Earth and give up everything that you care about. You are a warrior! A warrior without a war. That will destroy you just as fast.
Then it would seem I am doomed either way.
“What are you thinking?” Neil asked.
Carly still couldn’t be
lieve that Neil had wanted to go out with her. Maybe it was because she’d had a secret crush on him for so long.
“I’m glad Ria set this up,” she admitted.
“Me, too.”
She nibbled her bottom lip. “I’m worried about her. She told me Kristor wants her to leave with him. She knows nothing about the man. I think their relationship is moving way too fast.”
“Heath is checking him out. I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. Ria’s a big girl, and the guy seems nice enough.”
That bothered her, too. Being around Kristor had changed things. She found him likable, and his size wasn’t quite as intimidating as it had been in the beginning.
He also seemed to care a lot about Ria. Maybe she had been too quick to jump to conclusions. Not that what she’d done mattered. It wasn’t like anyone was swooping down on him with arrest warrants.
“You’re right,” she told him.
“I’ll walk you to your door.” He opened his car door and walked around to her side.
Carly’s stomach twisted in knots. What if he wanted to come inside? Or more? She had never had much luck in the sex department, mostly because she was so scared and embarrassed.
She looked up at the stairs, and suddenly there was a hangman’s noose at the top. Each step she took brought her closer to the death of this relationship.
Then she was standing outside her door. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “I had a good time tonight.” When Neil smiled, her heart thudded inside her chest.
“I did too, sexy lady.”
He scraped the back of his hand over her cheek, then leaned in close. His mouth covered hers in a gentle, non-threatening kiss. When he moved back, she sighed.
“I’d like to take you out again. Just me and you,” he said.
“I’d like that.”
“Friday?”
She nodded.
He grinned. “Friday, then.” He turned and went down the stairs.
She touched her lips, feeling the warmth that still lingered. She was smiling when she went inside and closed the door. Butterflies tickled her stomach. Tomorrow she would send Ria a box of chocolate. Life was sweet.
Chapter 21
Ria flung the cover away and swung her legs off the bed. Her body didn’t follow. With supreme effort, she forced herself to a sitting position. But when she tried to open her eyes, they wouldn’t cooperate. She was tempted to lie back down and pull the cover over her head, but she knew from past experience that she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep.
She’d had a horrible night, filled with nightmares of Kristor flinging her over his shoulder, and forcing her to return to New Symtaria with him. Her mother and father had been smiling, and waving her off as if she were only taking a short vacation.
That nightmare had ended only to go into another one where Kristor didn’t fling her over his shoulder and force her to return with him. She’d been left all alone and wishing for something more.
She was so confused. What was she going to do? It would seem she was damned if she did, and damned if she didn’t.
She closed her eyes for a moment and slowed her breathing. Flying might not be so bad. She’d been a little girl and the explosion had scared the crap out of her. She really should get over it. Other people overcame their phobias. Why not her?
What would it feel like to have the wind currents lift her higher and higher?
Something banged in the kitchen.
Her eyes opened wide.
Ruffles? Nope, the cat’s tail swished out from under the bed to tickle Ria’s heel.
Burglar?
It’s nothing, Shintara screamed inside Ria’s head. Go back to concentrating. Think hawk. You can do it.
“Shh.”
Ria’s heart banged against her chest wall. She grabbed her cell phone off the nightstand and punched in 9-1-1.
“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency,” Tilly’s voice came over the line.
Ria grimaced. “This is Ria Lancaster. I think there’s an intruder in my kitchen,” she whispered.
“Are you sure it’s not a naked alien?” She snorted.
“Do you want to start looking for another job when they replay this call after they discover my lifeless body?”
“I’ll send Heath over,” she said, but Ria thought she still sounded snarky.
“Tell him to hurry.”
Ria closed her phone, looking around. Her heavy flashlight was in the other room. She stood and tip-toed to the bathroom, picking up her hairbrush. Yeah, right, that would scare the hell out of the intruder. Hairspray? It might work like mace. She supposed it was better than nothing.
Holding the can close to her chest, she crept into the hallway wanting to get to the living room, and then outside where it would be safe. She could hide around the corner until Heath got there.
“Ria, you’re awake. Good,” Kristor spoke from behind her.
She jumped, whirled around, and without thinking, sprayed toward his face.
He coughed. “Ugh! That’s awful tasting. Worse than the stuff you sprayed in my eyes.”
“Oh, Kristor, I’m sorry. I thought you were a burglar. How the hell did you get in here, anyway? I know I locked my doors and windows last night.”
“Mind over matter.”
“Oh. I forgot. Where did I spray you?” Dammit, she needed more sleep. And coffee.
“My mouth and my cheek. What is that stuff?”
“Hairspray.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him along with her as she hurried to the kitchen. “You need to rinse your mouth. I’m so sorry.”
She grabbed a glass out of the cabinet and filled it with water before handing it to him.
He took a big gulp, then spat water into the sink and rinsed again.
“Why are you here? You weren’t that happy when you took off last night. I didn’t think you would show up until later in the day.”
“Coffee.” He rinsed some more.
She brought the orange juice out of the refrigerator and poured a glass. “You don’t like coffee.” She handed him the juice. He drank half in one gulp.
“I was going to surprise you.”
“You did.”
“I guess the burglar is gone?” Heath said as he stepped into the kitchen, gun drawn.
Ria screamed and aimed the hairspray, but Kristor jerked her arm down and away as she sprayed so the spray didn’t land on anything except the floor.
“You called me, remember,” Heath said as he holstered his gun. “You’re not supposed to attack the good guy.”
Kristor took the hairspray away from her and set it on top of the fridge. God, she’d probably aged ten years this morning. “I’m sorry, Heath.”
“I take it this is your burglar?”
She nodded. “Kristor was going to surprise me with coffee this morning.”
“Not the first time that I’ve almost plugged a boyfriend who wanted to surprise his girlfriend.” He pushed the button on his radio. “Tilly, no problem at Ria’s.”
Static, then, “I didn’t think you’d be discovering her lifeless body.”
Funny.
“Would you like some coffee?” she asked Heath.
Heath eyed the pot. The coffee was so thin you could read a newspaper through it.
“I think I’ll pass.” He tugged on the brim of his hat. “Try to stay out of trouble today.” He headed for the door.
She followed him out to the porch. The neighbor was watering her plants. Ria smiled and waved, then realized she was still in her pajamas. Great. At least she’d worn a T-shirt and shorts to bed.
Well, except the T-shirt was really big so it looked as though that was all she had on. More gossip. Not that Tilly would stay quiet. No, she’d be eager to tell everyone the latest news at her canasta club.
Ria turned and went inside to the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. She added sugar, but skipped the cream. Kristor went to the refrigerator and refilled his glass with more orange juice.
Lord, they acted like they were married or something.
“I thought you were angry with me because I said I wouldn’t leave with you,” she said.
“I’m no longer angry.”
“Then you’re fine with my decision?”
“No.”
“Oh.” He confused her. But then he turned that devastatingly sexy grin on her and she melted.
“Do you work today?”
She shook her head, more to clear it of the visions she was starting to have. “We’re closed today.”
“Then change. I want to take you somewhere.”
“Where?”
“Go change.”
She might as well. The coffee tasted like crap, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings by telling him. She would only hope there was a Starbucks nearby.
She took a quick shower and changed into shorts and a tank top. When Ria joined him in the living room, Ruffles was curled in Kristor’s lap, purring like she was in kitty cat paradise. She gave Ria a snotty look, then jumped down and padded back to the bedroom.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“You’ll see.”
When Kristor went outside, she followed. He got on his motorcycle and handed her a helmet. She climbed on the back and fastened the helmet in place. Did it really matter where they were going? As long as she was snuggled up against him, nothing really mattered. She sighed. It would take more than a week to say good-bye.
She closed her eyes, resting her cheek against his back. She could hear the beat of his heart, feel the warmth of his skin through his shirt.
She opened her eyes when he slowed. The zoo. Why had he brought her here? It wasn’t even open.
Kristor stopped the bike and turned the key. She removed her helmet and climbed off. He followed suit.
“Come on.” He pulled on her hand.
“Where? It isn’t open. They’re not going to let us in.”
“Yes, they will.”
“You cannot act the warrior and barge your way in. They’ll arrest us.”
“I asked them if we could go inside before the zoo opens.”
Nope, she didn’t believe him.
“I gave them money.”
“And where did you get money?”
