by Tracy Lauren
I feel sorry for the big guy. “Well, if this were a rodeo you’d be the best dressed.”
“While I do not know what a rodeo is, that still makes me feel better.”
“Does it?”
“Just a little,” he says, giving me a lopsided grin. And…my panties nearly melt. Jeeze, Carly, what are you doing offering to share your apartment with a six-foot-five cowboy who looks like he just strolled in from the set of the latest Magic Mike movie?
Dorran takes off his hat and ruffles his hair. I just try not to whimper as I watch him move.
“Perhaps you can help me acquire more appropriate attire?” he asks, his tone hopeful.
I feel the weight of nine grand in the palm of my hand. “I can definitely do that for you. When would you like to go shopping?”
“Now? I am all moved in, after all,” he jokes playfully.
“Oh Dorran…I’d love to, but I have work in about an hour. I don’t think that’s enough time to go shopping.”
My new roomie’s bright smile withers just a bit and it makes me feel completely guilty. He did just pay me nine grand to help him out and here I am ducking him on his first request.
“We can go first thing in the morning, if that’s okay?” I hurry to offer.
Just like that, he lights up again and I can’t help but mirror his happiness. I could get lost in those dreamy eyes. They’re the strangest, most exotic color I’ve ever seen. They’re practically purple—like a light shade of amethyst. I’ve never seen anything like it.
“I would like that very much.”
“Me too,” I say, way too breathily. We stare at each other then, for a moment too long, grinning like a couple of dummies.
“What is your profession?” he asks, breaking me from my momentary stupor.
“Oh…ugh…I’d like to say science teacher, but tonight I’m a bartender.”
“That is…an interesting combination.”
“I’d like to think my background in chemistry helps me mix one hell of a drink.”
Dorran laughs at my lame joke; it’s the kind of rumbly and masculine sounding laugh that makes a woman want to lean into a man. But I take a step back instead, not wanting to muddy the waters in our already strange arrangement.
“So, if you are a bartender can I deduce that you work at a bar?”
I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and try not to smile. “I do. It’s one of the hip spots down on Main Street. We get pretty crazy on the weekends. At eight a DJ comes and it goes from sports bar to club. We’re really popular with the college crowd,” I explain.
“I was told bars are a good place to meet females.”
“That’s true, to an extent.” I hate to brag, but I’m pretty knowledgeable on the subject. I’ve been tending bar for a long time now and I’ve learned a few lessons while watching patrons get tipsy.
“To what extent?” Dorran asks.
“Sometimes you get lucky and meet a pretty college girl with a good head on her shoulders. Other times you meet…well, a drunk chick who’s only looking for trouble. No judgment if that’s your thing though.” Dorran has mentioned females more than once now… I wonder if he’s a dog. I guess it doesn’t matter too much if he is. He’ll be gone in a month. It’d be a shame though—nothing’s a bigger turn off than a guy who does nothing but chase women.
Dorran shakes his head at the mention of trouble, but it doesn’t stop a warm smile from slowly spreading across his face. “Believe me, I make enough trouble on my own. What I’m looking for is a little more on the forever side.”
My brows draw up. “Forever, huh?” I can’t tell if that’s a line or not. “Well, I wish you the best of luck finding that at a bar.”
“Perhaps I can join you at your work and I will not need luck. I can rely on your professional opinion.”
I snort. “Is this part of the rent deal?”
“It is.” He nods confidently.
“Fine. But if you’re going out, you need to lose the spurs and the cowboy hat.”
“Otherwise everyone will think I am a drug-dealing stripper?” His words are filled with humor and I find that I like that. Nothing better than a person who can laugh at their own foibles. My ex was nothing like that—so serious all the time, and always uptight when called out on a mistake.
I cross my arms and cock my head at Dorran. Man, this seems like such a huge mistake… I’ve got a strange (albeit sexy) man in my apartment and he’s just given me nine thousand dollars in exchange for one month in Sarah’s old bedroom. This is going to blow up in my face. “Are we really doing this?”
Dorran leans against the kitchen counter, looking much more at home than he should. “I’d say it’s already done.”
I sigh. “As long as this isn’t drug money. Still…I can’t help but feel like I’m getting the better end of the bargain.”
Dorran’s expression grows solemn. “I assure you, Carly, it is the other way around. This mission I’m on, it’s the most important thing I’ll ever do in my life. I cannot tell you how deeply I appreciate you offering me your guidance.”
I grumble. “Okay. If you say so. Here, I better show you around.”
Dorran follows me down the short hallway. At the end is a shared bathroom and on either side are virtually identical rooms.
“This is me.” I point to my door. “And the bathroom. There’s only the one, but the hot water heater’s great. And this…is you.” I open the door that until this morning belonged to Sarah. It’s a little sad to know that all of my best friend’s things have been stripped from the room. There’s no multi-colored lights tacked around the windowsill. No ironic Backstreet Boys poster on the wall. And instead of the constant loop of her iTunes, now it’s silent.
“Smells like another female in here,” Dorran says, his tone displeased. I’m surprised to see his nose scrunched up like the place stinks.
“Well that tracks. My last roommate was a girl and she just moved out this morning. I’ll be sure to tell her you could smell her stink though.” I chuckle at that. Sarah will be mortified. I mean, I can’t smell a thing, but it won’t stop me from teasing her.
“Room-mate?” Dorran asks. “Did the pairing not work out?”
“Sarah and I were doing great, but her boyfriend proposed a couple weeks ago.” I shrug. “So they moved in together.”
Dorran’s face falls and something like pity is etched there. “She left you for another? For a male? That is deplorable. This Sarah does not deserve you.”
“Whoa, it wasn’t like she was my girlfriend. Besides, we’re still going to see each other plenty.”
“You plan to share her?” Dorran shakes his head. “I could never share a mate.”
“Roommate, hun, not romantic mate. Sarah and I are just friends.”
A look of relief washes over Dorran as understanding sets in. His hand goes to his chest. “My hearts, I thought your female had left you.”
“Well, I appreciate how ready you were to jump on the hate train of a lover who spurned me. But it’s unfounded, I assure you.”
“I am glad, a beautiful female such as yourself should be cherished.”
And with that, the lightness of our conversation is suddenly zapped from the room. If any other guy had said those words to me I’d roll my eyes. It’s a line if I’ve ever heard one. But, somehow when Dorran says it, his voice drips with sincerity. Maybe it’s his accent…or maybe it’s those unreal purple eyes, but my belly does a little back flip of girly excitement and I want to bat my eye lashes at him like an idiot. Thankfully Dorran saves me from myself by delving deeper into his bedroom, eager to explore. Only when his back is to me am I able to breathe again.
That wasn’t quite a flirtation. It was more of a compliment, said without any expectation. I don’t know if anyone has ever talked to me like that before. I shake it off though, collecting myself. When I shift my attention back to Dorran I notice the level of scrutiny he’s giving his new room. It dawns on me that if this guy really ha
s so much money, my little cottage-style apartment must be pretty humble compared to what he’s used to. Still…it seems like he’s looking at the place with awe. It’s almost funny, to see such a mammoth of a man, with his guard down, openly enthusiastic about something so simple. He isn’t trying to play the tough guy, he’s just…authentic.
And suddenly, I feel pretty good about this deal. I know I just met the guy, but damn if he doesn’t seem like one of the good ones.
Dorran makes his way to the full-sized bed, testing it first with his palm before taking a seat and bouncing lightly on the mattress. The poor springs creak under his weight. He dwarfs the thing—it practically looks twin sized with him on top of it. Not much to be done about that unfortunately.
“Oh! I have extra sheets!” I realize, popping out to the linen cupboard. But when I pass them back to Dorran he gives them an empty stare, like I might as well be handing him a coconut for all that he knows what to do with it.
“For the bed…” I tell him. And I don’t know if he’s that foreign, or that rich, but the smile he gives me isn’t hiding anything. This guy has no clue what to do with a fitted sheet.
“Would you like a hand?” I offer. “The fitted ones can be tricky.”
That broad grin he gives me makes my knees go weak. “I would love that.”
Together Dorran and I shake out the sheets and sure enough it’s like he might as well be from a different planet for all that he knows how to make a bed.
“Were you serious about wanting to tag along with me to work tonight? You can get dinner at the bar if you want; our street tacos are pretty popular.” Every corner he does pops right back up and the look of consternation on his face is… Well, frankly, it’s adorable.
“I am very serious,” he tells me, still focusing on the sheet. “I’d love to join you. If it is no problem, of course.” He tries to tug another corner down but it causes the opposite end to pop back up. I finish my side and move to his, sliding between him and the bed, showing him how to pull it all the way around the bottom.
“It’s no problem. I can’t hang out too much, but I can point out the trouble makers and maybe even get you a free beer or two.”
“I’d like that very much,” he tells me, sidling a little closer. I want to mirror the movement, but I hold myself back.
“Are you…trying to pick up a girl tonight?”
“My preference is for women, but yes. That is the objective.”
Okay…so he’s a slut. Not his most endearing feature, but he’s paying the rent for three months so I’ll just have to deal with it until he’s gone. That and restrain the raging hormones his pretty face seems to jump start every time he looks in my direction. I give Dorran a tight smile. “I’ve got to start getting ready now,” I say, excusing myself. I hurry off to my own room…to text my best friend.
Me: Guess what?
Sarah: ???
Me: New roommate just moved in.
Sarah: Whoa! You don’t waste any time, do you? What’s she like?
Me: Actually, it’s a he. And he’s…unique?
Sarah: Is that one way to say he’s weird as fuck?
Me: Yes?
Me: Sexy AF too, but he’s from Europe or something and there seem to be a few cultural hurdles he’s facing. He’s asked me to help him navigate the city while he’s in town.
Sarah: Oooo la la, sexy??? Does he have an accent????
Sarah: Wait…what do you mean while he’s in town?
Me: He’s only here for a month.
Sarah: Oh, well shit. You’re going to be roommate hunting next month too.
Me: Not necessarily. See…he’s actually offered to pay three months’ rent in exchange for me helping him out around town.
Sarah: *gasp* That’s a shit ton of money. What’s his deal? Does he want to be Richard Greer to your Julia Roberts? Is this a Pretty Woman scenario?
Me: LOL, no! I am not going to be his hoe for nine grand. Though I sort of wonder if he’s asking me to be his pimp… Scratch that. His wingman. He’s made it *abundantly* clear that he wants to pick up women while he’s in town.
Sarah: CARLY! Is this guy a creep? Just because he’s offering three months’ rent doesn’t mean you should let some weirdo move in!
Me: He’s only a little weird. Or maybe not weird. Just…different? Still, he honestly seems like a good guy, even if he is a bit of a dog. Besides, what do I care who he has sex with?
Sarah: OMG. Well, I’m going to be calling you literally every day to make sure he isn’t some axe-wielding madman.
Me: Please do.
Sarah: Jeeze, Carly!
Me: I’m kidding! I’m kidding. At least I hope I am!
Sarah: Not funny at all.
I peek out my door and see Dorran in his room, poking at the Venetian blinds like they might just bite him. I stifle a snicker and quietly shut my door. Maybe it is kind of funny. Or fun at the very least. As long as I don’t let his pretty ass seduce me, we might actually have a good time together. He’s like a rebound roommate. Having a little fun with him, even if I am just his wingman, will help me get through the worst of missing Sarah. Then, when he’s gone, I can focus on finding a more suitable roomie.
This is going to work just fine, I tell myself.
Chapter 7
Dorran
“Everything is going according to my expectations,” I tell Regor quietly over my personal comm. “I’ve already secured lodging for myself, gathered intel on locations to convene with available females. And I have found myself a guide.”
Regor groans. “I wish I could be there with you, Dorran. It’s bullshit you have to do your Kasal Panaw on your own.”
“It’s fine. Like I said, things couldn’t be going any better.” But even as I say those words I feel as if there is dishonesty to them and my best friend homes in on it like a target.
“What’s wrong, Dorran?” he asks, his tone demanding that I cut the crap and speak freely.
I run fingers through my disguised hair. It’s a dark and earthy brown, hiding the purple hues that are natural to me. “It’s nothing really,” I say, lowering my voice even more. “It’s just the female I am staying with—Carly… She is quite lovely. And her scent, Regor, all else pales in comparison.”
“Why not pursue her?”
“She is like Tereza,” I say with a shrug, and Regor lets out a snort of amusement.
“You are cursed, brother.”
I laugh along with him. “Seems to be so, does it not? Anyway, at the very least Carly and I can seek out mates together. Surely she’ll attract the most beautiful human females. With her by my side I predict my Kasal Panaw will be completed before a full cycle of the moon.”
“Let us hope you are so lucky, Dorran. Then perhaps you can introduce Tereza to this Carly?”
I consider that, but the thought sours my stomach and I know instantly I will do no such thing. I might not be able to pursue Carly, but I don’t want to give her away either. I click my tongue, wondering if our effort to find available females will be negatively impacted by my misplaced desire. I cannot let it be so. My entire future is counting on this mission. I cannot allow myself to be distracted by the first beauty that I see.
But it is easier said than done when Carly steps out of her room a short while later.
She’s wearing all black, and somehow such a dull color suddenly appears vibrant on her—giving her sun-kissed skin an exotic glow. She’s painted her face too, with cosmetics, though not as all-encompassing as my own disguise. Just a small amount to highlight her eyes. Not that they didn’t already shine on their own. But the thing that makes my muscles tense, that vies for my attention, is the low-cut V of her blouse. I have to bite my knuckle when I see her breasts pushed together, a line of cleavage peeking at me. Breasts like that are begging to be licked…though I certainly won’t be receiving an invitation anytime soon.
“Have you been to California before?” Carly asks when we start the short walk to her job. The quest
ion breaks me from my misguided and lusty thoughts.
“Once, but it was many years ago. I visited a city called San Francisco.”
“No kidding, that’s where Sarah just moved. I’m going in three weeks to visit her.”
“What a coincidence,” I say, feeling nostalgic. “If I have not completed my task by that time I would love to join you.”
“Yeah?” She smiles at me in a way that gives me false hope. “We might be able to work something out. Look, there’s my place up there,” she says, pointing out a tall brick building with neon lights in the windows. There’s a crowd outside waiting to get in; they practically block the entrance. I look to Carly. She’s such a small and delicate thing, I can’t fathom how she’ll make it past the swarm of humans blocking the door.
“Would you like me to clear a path for you?” I offer.
Her lips curve upward. “What do you mean?”
“I will part the crowd so you may have safe passage inside.”
She grins. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary, Dorran. You just stay with me, okay?”
I give her a nod, telling her I concede to her superior knowledge of this land. But that doesn’t mean I let my guard down. I will protect Carly if someone so much as bumps her. But when she takes my hand, the breath is pulled from my lungs and I follow her mutely as she pushes past the crowd on her own, with me following closely behind. There are many who call out their greetings to her and I come to realize she is well known in this place. How could she not be, I reason? She’s the most beautiful female in the building.
Once we’ve left the crowd behind and made our way inside, I see that in many ways this place is not so different from bars on space stations. There is a long counter with tenders serving beverages from behind it. And there are many small tables throughout the room, all of them appear to be packed. But there is one lonely seat at the bar, that Carly claims for me.
“Take a seat, Dorran,” she calls over the din.
“It is loud in here,” I tell her.
“Just wait until the DJ starts!”
“What is a DJ again?”
Carly smiles. “How about something to eat?”
