Tempting Tabitha

by Tianna Xander

  Charly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. After a moment, she squeezed her eyes tight and then shook her head.

  “I can’t do it. Maybe we’re only half-sisters or something.”

  “We’re not half-sisters, and you can do it. You only need to work on it a bit. That’s all. I wasn’t able to do it the first few times I tried either, and I had Mom and Dad to help me. They knew everything about what we are. I don’t. I only know what they taught me before the accident, which wasn’t much.”

  “I’ll keep trying then.” Charly checked her watch. “We should get going.”

  “We?” Tabby raised a brow. “Just where are we going?”

  “To Reno and Birgit’s; they’ve invited us to their cabin for dinner and a movie.”

  “No, thanks.” Tabby picked up their bowls and set them in the waste receptacle and watched them disappear, like magic. She could have used something like that for the several months she’d lived as a human. Working as a maid had sucked. “I’m not in the mood to watch a movie tonight.”

  “Too bad.” Charly grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door. “I’ve been waiting forever to sit next to my sister and watch a movie.”

  “We watched a movie the other night in the hotel.” Tabby let Charly drag her a few feet before she pulled her arm free of her sister’s grip.

  “That was when you were my cat. Now, you’re my sister.”

  “I don’t know what difference that makes. We still watched a movie together, and I have always been your sister.”

  “It makes all the difference in the world. I loved you as my cat, but hell, Tabby, at the time, you were a cat, not my sister.”

  “I wasn’t your sister?” Tabby raised a brow.

  “You know what I mean. I didn’t know you were my sister, dammit.”

  Charly stomped her foot. The action reminded Tabitha of when they were kids, and she smiled.

  “Okay. I’ll go with you, I suppose.” She sighed. The last thing she wanted was to have to be in the same room with Deno for the next few hours. The big, conceited alien irritated the hell out of her.

  “Great.” Charly grinned and tugged her to the door. “You won’t regret it; I promise.”

  Tabby half smiled.

  “I don’t know about that. I’m pretty sure I already do.”

  “Oh, stop it. It’s a movie neither of us has seen that I know of, and it’s an action comedy. I know you like those. You always sat next to me with your eyes glued to the screen. I always thought it was strange that my cat loved to watch TV.” Charly chuckled.

  “That’s true.” She nodded grudgingly. “Still, it’s the company I’m not too sure about.”

  “I don’t know why. It’s not like you and Xeno don’t get along. You guys managed not to kill each other for quite a while when we were on the road.”

  “Xeno isn’t the problem. It’s his brother.” Tabitha scowled as she thought of the infuriating man she’d rather shoot out a torpedo tube than spend time with watching a movie.

  “Deno’s not so bad.” Charly giggled. “From what I understand, you knocked the poor guy for a loop. He was certain, with their two older brothers finding mates so soon, he and Xeno would have lots of time to play the field, so to speak.”

  “Great.” She crossed her arms with a frown. “Now we’re crimping their style.”

  “Not Xeno’s. He’s more than happy to have me in his life, and I’d bet his brother will feel the same way about you as soon as he wraps his mind around the idea.”

  If only Tabby could believe that about him. It was one thing to consider living her life as a human with people like her sister who wanted her around. It was something else to consider spending her life attracted to a man who craved his freedom far more than having a wife.

  “Wrap his mind around the idea, huh? Yeah, right.” She sighed as they walked down the hallway. “I’m not even sure I want him to wrap his mind around it. It’s not as though I’m the best catch in the world. I’ve been living my life as a cat for the last twenty years. I’m a thirty-two-year-old with an eighth-grade education and a weird craving for having my back stroked in any form I take.”

  “Well, there are worse things, you know,” Charly said with a chuckle.

  “Really,” Tabby asked with a shake of her head. “Do I dare ask what?”

  “Well...” Charly glanced toward the replicator. “You could be stuck eating seafood for the rest of your life.”

  Tabby’s stomach lurched at the thought. “I hadn’t thought of that.” She clasped her trembling hands together and sighed. It was becoming obvious that like it or not, she would have to try to make a life for herself as a human. “God, help me.”

  Chapter Four

  Deno pressed his hand to the outer frame of Reno’s cabin door. The chime sounded, and he heard his sister-in-law, Birgit, call out.

  “Come in. It’s open.”

  He smiled at that. It wasn’t open, yet it was unlocked. His sisters-in-law had a unique way of wording things. Perhaps all Earthlings were the same. He wasn’t sure. Neither he, nor his brothers had taken the opportunity to keep the company of many people since their arrival on Earth several years before.

  Generally, they kept to themselves, even in Magic where they knew their neighbors accepted them. The people of the small town where they’d made their homes were just as different as they were, in varying ways.

  They hadn’t sought out company while out of town either. None of them wanted to draw undue attention to the people of Magic, who had saved their lives when their ship had crashed just outside of town.

  Still, once his brothers found their mates, they had drawn a lot of unwanted attention from humans and aliens alike. That was one of the reasons he’d decided not to search for a companion of his own. Bringing another woman into town would only make matters worse, in his opinion. He had no idea a compatible female would find him and turn his life upside down anyway.

  “Come on in.” Birgit was in front of the replicator when the door slid open. The smell of grilled steak and baked potatoes made his stomach growl.

  If there was one thing he could say of the people of Earth, it was that they knew how to feed a male. Red meat and the tubers they called potatoes were some of the best rations he’d ever eaten, even if they were reconstituted rations from the replicator. It all still tasted the same as the original samples introduced into the system.

  “Dinner smells delicious.”

  “I wish I could take the credit for it, but the replicator did most of the work.”

  “Yet, you always seem to know what to fix to appease our appetites.”

  Birgit turned away but not before he saw the telltale blush on his sister-in-law’s face. He rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head. He hadn’t meant to embarrass her. He’d meant their hunger for food, not other things, but obviously, she had taken his comment in a way he hadn’t anticipated.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

  “That’s okay.” Turning away, she pulled dishes from a cabinet and started setting the table. “I’m just a little more sensitive these days, that’s all.”

  “There you are.” Reno entered the apartment and kissed his wife on the neck. “I’ve been looking for you. I thought you’d be with one of the women.”

  “No.” She smiled up at him. “I’m preparing for our company. We’re hosting a dinner, remember?”

  Deno hadn’t forgotten they were to have dinner. He also hadn’t eaten because of it, and he felt starved. For some reason, his stomach protested the hunger pangs more than usual. Was it because of Tabitha? Closing his eyes, he leaned back and rested his head against the wall. He hoped he was just hungry.

  “I was just about to tell Deno to have a seat. Dinner is almost ready. We’re waiting for everyone else to show up before I serve.” The door chimed, and she smiled. “I’ll bet that’s our company now.”

  She hurried to the door and swung it wide.

  “Hello!” Sela, C
eno, their father, and Sela’s grandfather, Clyde, all spoke at once.

  “I smell steak!” Clyde pushed past the others, rubbed his hands together, and hurried into the apartment. “What are we waiting for? Let’s eat.”

  “We’re waiting for Xeno, Charly, and Tabitha.” Birgit crossed her arms. “No one is eating until they arrive.”

  For some reason, his sister-in-law seemed nervous. Was there some reason she’d wanted to bring them all together? She’d done this kind of thing several times since she’d married his brother. It wasn’t like her to act so nervous about something as simple as dinner and a movie.

  “Hold the door!” The sound of his twin’s voice made him stiffen. It was certain his brother’s mate would be with him. Was Tabitha with him, as well, or had she decided to forgo the gathering?

  “Great! Everyone’s here.” Birgit rubbed her hands together and headed for the kitchen area. “Dinner is ready and in the warmer. If everyone will have a seat, I’ll bring it right out.”

  “I’ll help you.” Sela followed Birgit into the food prep area while the rest of them gathered around the table.

  “Here we go.” Birgit and Sela set the platters of food on the table, each of them taking the seat their mates held out for them.

  When everyone had eaten, Birgit brought out coffee and cake. She set it on the table, and as Reno began cutting the appetizing confection, she rested her hand on his and cleared her throat.

  “I asked you all here tonight because I have something to tell you, and I wanted all of you to be the first to know.” Biting her lip, she glanced up, meeting her husband’s gaze. “Honey, we’re going to have a baby.”

  “Oh, my goodness! Congratulations!” Sela jumped up and hugged her.

  “Finally! A great grandbaby I can spoil.” Clyde gave Sela a disgruntled look. “When are you and that husband of yours going to get busy and give me another?”

  “Oh, Clyde. I knew you’d be happy for me.” Birgit burst into tears. “But I didn’t... I never dreamed you’d... I don’t have any family left, and I’d be proud to have you adopt my baby as your grandchild.”

  “Adopt your baby?” He went to her, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her forehead. “I’m adopting you, too, sweetheart.” He turned his attention to Reno. “Are you just going to stand there like a wart on a toad, or are you going to congratulate your wife?”

  “A baby?” Reno shook his head as though in a trance. “We’re going to have a baby?” A huge smile split his handsome face, and he pulled Birgit into his arms. “I don’t believe it.” He rested a hand on her stomach, his fingers splayed. “When...” He swallowed and tried again. “When is it due?”

  “In late November.”

  “November?” He stiffened. “So soon? We don’t have much time!” He looked rather panicked. “We have to clean out a room, paint it, and buy furniture.” He glanced at everyone. “You’re all going to have to go. We don’t have time to watch a movie. We have planning to do.”

  “Reno!” Birgit gasped. “We can’t send everyone home just like that. We haven’t even had dessert.”

  “Okay. Dessert, then you all can leave.”

  “Um... No. It’s not going down like that, Reno.” Birgit reached up and cupped his cheek. “We have plenty of time to plan how we’re going to decorate the baby’s room.” She chuckled. “I thought it was women who always panicked about baby prepping.”

  “No.” Charly shook her head. “If the way my foster parents always acted is any indication, it’s the men who worry the most.” She cast her gaze to the floor. “Especially when they have a strange child in the house. Every time one of my foster mothers got pregnant, it was only a matter of time before they moved me to a new house. That happened three times before the people at the social service office wised up and sent me to a couple who couldn’t have children of their own. They raised me through middle and high school.” She smiled sadly. “It was the best five years of my life. Now, I can’t ever see them again, can I?”

  “Of course, you can, baby.” Xeno wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. “We’re going back, and you’ll be able to see them again.” He kissed her temple. “I can’t wait to meet them and present them with their first grandchild.”

  “You’d accept them as our child’s grandparents?”

  “Why not?” He shrugged. “They loved you when you thought no one would. They were there for you when I couldn’t be. They raised you to be the loving woman you are today. They are your parents in every sense of the word. I don’t blame you for caring for them.” He kissed the center of her forehead.

  Deno glanced at Tabitha, hoping to gauge her reaction.

  “Don’t look at me, blue boy.” She crossed her arms. “Grandparents, or lack thereof, isn’t going to be an issue for me. I’m not having yours or anyone else’s baby.”

  “Blue boy?” He frowned at her.

  “Aren’t you blue under that glamor like your brothers?” She raised a brow. “Not that it makes any difference.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “I don’t think it’s any secret that I don’t like you.”

  “You don’t like me?” He scowled. “You haven’t even tried to get to know me.”

  Why did that seem to bother him so much? If he’d planned to marry, perhaps it should, but he didn’t, did he?

  “Oh, get over yourself, will you? It’s not as though you’d want a relationship with me. You’ve made it perfectly clear that you think I’m little more than a waste of skin.”

  “Honey, there might be a thing or two about you that I think is a waste, but your skin is not one of them.” He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “I think it’s a waste that you seem to have so little time to spend as a human because you are a beautiful woman and the world is a more beautiful place with you in it. I think it’s a waste that you don’t seem to like men because I, for one, would love to get to know you better, whether you believe that or not.”

  “I don’t.” She scowled at him and crossed her arms. “You want nothing to do with me or any other woman outside of your bedroom. You’ve made that perfectly clear.”

  Deno couldn’t blame her for that comment. He had told her he wasn’t in the market for a wife—no matter how misguided he’d been. What else was she supposed to think?

  “What can I say?” He shrugged. “I’m an idiot.” He gestured to his siblings. “Ask any of my brothers. Hell, I even ate rancid chicken once because I thought mold was its feathers growing back.”

  He wasn’t positive, but he suspected her coughing fit began with an involuntary laugh.

  Charly slapped her on the back a few times as she tried to suppress her own soft giggles.

  “Oh, my goodness. You aren’t serious.” She stared up at him, her violet eyes filled with mirth, her lips tipping at the corners. “No one is that dumb.”

  “Apparently, I am.” He took a deep breath and sighed. “Now that we’ve established that I’m an idiot, can we start over?” He held out his hand and gave her a half smile he’d perfected in the mirror. No woman had been able to resist it yet. “Hi, I’m Deno, Xeno’s twin brother. It’s very nice to meet you, Tabitha.”

  Her small smile faded and slowly turned to a scowl.

  “Don’t you use that practiced I’m god’s gift to women so bow down and kiss my feet, smile on me.” Turning to Birgit, she said, “Thank you for the lovely meal. It was ever so much better than fish. Congratulations on the baby.” She glanced at Charly. “I can’t do this.”

  Deno could have kicked himself at the sound of her trembling voice. What had he been thinking? He should have known she would have recognized a put-on when she saw it.

  “Wait.” He grasped her shoulder in an attempt to explain his actions.

  “Don’t touch me!” She shrugged his hand off and fled the cabin.

  “Damn. I’ve royally fucked things up.” He closed his eyes and shook his head.

  “I’d say you were on the nose with that one.” His father clapped h
im on the shoulder. “Come with me, son. I want to tell you something.” Deno let his father steer him from the cabin as he wondered how in the hell he was going to fix things between Tabitha and himself.

  “I already know what you’re going to say,” Deno said after the door closed behind them. “I’m an idiot, and I’ve alienated the one woman in the entire universe who is meant to be mine. In case you haven’t figured it out, I know that already.”

  Deno walked down the corridor, heading for the bridge. If one thing was a constant in his life, it was that his father always gave his, “You’re too stupid to live,” lectures on the bridge where he could watch the vast emptiness of space around them.

  “Well?” Stopping, he glanced at his father, brow raised. “Aren’t you going to tell me what an idiot I am?”

  “Why?” His father kept walking. “It seems as though you’re doing a good enough job on your own.”

  The thing he’d hated the most about his father’s little chats was the fact that he never said a word until he got to the bridge. It gave a guy too long to think, too long to wonder what was on the old man’s mind.

  Instead of saying more, he followed his father to the bridge, remaining silent. If he’d learned anything throughout the years, it was that the long walk made a young man nervous and talkative to the point where he said too much. Way too much, at least it did in one case that he recalled.

  “I’ve never told you about how your mother and I met.” His father took the captain’s chair and motioned for him to take one of the others. “Have a seat. I want to tell you a story.”

  Chapter Five

  “Don’t you look like a bag of hammered crap?” Tabitha stared at the dark circles under her eyes and grimaced. The three-dimensional viewer thingy they used as a mirror was great as long as a person looked good. When they looked bad, they really looked bad. The device didn’t hide a thing.

  Just tell it like it is, man...

  Wetting a washcloth, she pressed it to her eyes with a groan. What had she been thinking? Deno had given her the perfect opportunity to bury the hatchet and start over. She’d taken his invitation and thrown it back in his face. She’d buried the hatchet alright. She’d buried it so deep between them, they would never work their way around it.