CALLEY (RIBUS 7 Book 3)

by Shae Mills

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Jim opened the door and then ushered her out of the apartment building. Chelan’s eyes grew large as they approached the black Ferrari. “Business is still doing well, I see.”

  Jim smiled. “Yes, it is,” he said, and helped her in.

  Chelan sank down into the car, almost feeling like she was back in a fighter’s cockpit.

  “Like it?”

  Chelan smiled at him as she hugged his jacket tight about her. “Love it,” she returned.

  Jim beamed. “Good—then it’s yours.”

  Chelan frowned and looked at him hard. But he did not react.

  The car rumbled to life as he glanced into her wary eyes. “I’m serious,” he informed her casually. “Consider it a ‘welcome back’ gift.”

  Chelan remained quiet throughout the trip, her mind urging her the whole time to be cautious. The obsidian car ducked into the underground parking lot and purred to a halt. Jim jumped out and came around to her side, opened the door, and helped her to her feet.

  Into the private elevator they stepped, and moments later they were at the top floor of the towering building. Jim unlocked the door and bade her enter. “Home, sweet home,” he stated cheerily.

  Chelan gaped at the luxury that abounded in the penthouse suite. The large marble foyer opened up to a huge living room. The oil paintings, the fine sculptures, the black grand, the Persian rugs—all of it stole her breath.

  Jim reached for her and relieved her of his jacket. He hung it up and then watched as she descended the two steps into the living room. Her slender fingers caressed the back of one of the fine leather couches. He cleared his throat. “Come back this way and I’ll show you around.”

  Chelan shook herself from her reverie and returned to him, following him down a long hall and into a bedroom at the very end. It was spacious and nicely decorated, a large bay window showering it with sunlight. Chelan walked over to the window and gasped, first at the view and then at the height. “Had any earthquakes lately?” she asked.

  Jim chuckled. “Not to my knowledge.” He watched as she took in her surroundings. “Anyway, this is the spare room should you ever decide to stay or need another place to crash.”

  Chelan looked at him and smiled. “Thank you,” was all she said.

  He then beckoned to her. As they began back down the hallway, he pointed to his right. “This is the main washroom.”

  Chelan walked up past him and peered into the cavernous area—two sinks etched out of marble, one wall completely mirrored, the whole area illuminated by the sky-lit vaulted ceiling. Against the far wall sprawled a large Jacuzzi and an equally large shower.

  “Now I’ll show you the rest of the place.”

  She turned to him only to find he was farther down the hall. He opened another door. She followed and peeked in.

  “Office,” he said.

  Chelan smiled at the piles of equipment and documents. “Obviously,” she replied.

  Then he continued along. “And master suite.”

  Chelan glanced around but did not wish to enter his private domain. “Everything’s beautiful,” she whispered.

  Jim nodded. “There is one other small bedroom near the kitchen, but I use it for storage.”

  Chelan followed him back to the entryway. From the tiled foyer she descended back into the sunken living room, the entire far wall a window with a spectacular panoramic view. To the left were the dining room and a palatial open kitchen. Jim remained at the top of the steps while she explored.

  She glanced at him. “This is all fabulous.”

  Jim was delighted. “Make yourself at home. There’s juice and bottled water in the fridge over there, and drinks in the bar. Grab some fresh muffins from the counter in the kitchen and hold tight for a bit. I have to make a few phone calls.”

  Chelan nodded and glanced over her shoulder, watching him as he disappeared down the hall and into the office. She stepped over to the expansive living-room window and peered out at the view. He had done well, she mused. And he did have an eye for beauty—there was no doubting that. She smiled. Mom had always wanted the best for her. Maybe Jim had been pretty close to that.

  “Anyway, if you get tired of being on your own, I’m sure you could be happy here.”

  Chelan swung around, startled by his voice. “Yes, your place is lovely. I’m impressed. And I will keep your invitation in mind.”

  Jim stood beside her. “Good, I want you to have options.” He headed for the kitchen. “How about some lunch—or brunch, I guess?”

  Chelan followed but shook her head. “No thanks. But you go ahead.”

  Jim poured some juice but kept his eyes on her. “Is that how you dropped all the weight, by starving?”

  “No, of course not.” She looked up at him. “Why, do I look gaunt to you?”

  Jim managed to keep himself from laughing. “Hardly. I was just teasing. You look like you’ve spent years in a gym, Chelan. You’re beautiful.”

  Chelan smiled and turned away. She had spent years in a gym of one sort or another, ten long Earth years training and honing her body to near Iceanean standards. And she had achieved perfection. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” she said quietly.

  Jim took a sip of his juice as he assessed her. Beautiful was an understatement. He could hardly pry his eyes off of her. Suddenly he found himself wishing he could see her naked, her long silken hair seductively concealing bits of her femininity. Jim took another sip of the cold juice, realizing that what he really needed was a cold shower.

  Chelan’s voice finally roused him from his salacious thoughts. “Listen, Will told me that you’re still single. I don’t want to hang around too much and cramp your style.”

  “Nonsense,” he countered. He put his glass down and moved in front of her. He placed a finger under her chin and forced her to look into his eyes. “You’re right about the women—I won’t deny that— but right now there’s no one in the world I’d rather entertain than you. My little black book will be shelved for the duration of your stay in this fair city. You have my word on that.”

  Chelan took a step back. “That’s not fair to you. I’m here as a friend and no more.”

  Jim shook his head. “I don’t care. My love life can wait. There’s no one special anyway. So right now my main concern is you.”

  Chelan smiled apprehensively, not sure if she felt flattered or fretful. “Well, I don’t ever want to be in your way. I can more than entertain myself.”

  Jim took a deep breath as his eyes once again flowed over her curves. “Believe me, you could never get in my way.”

  Chelan took another step back, rendered uncomfortable by the predatory gaze that fleetingly pierced his eyes. But whatever she saw was quickly replaced by warmth, and she relaxed.

  Jim nodded. “Look, I have a few more loose ends to tie up at the office at some point, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to arrange to take a couple more days off.” He smiled at her. “We need to shop and to get to know one another again.”

  Chelan nodded. “Sounds good. But I don’t want to put you out in any way.”

  “Believe me, you’re not putting me out. Give me another moment in my office and then we can sit and catch up on whatever you wish.”

  Jim turned to leave, but Chelan froze him to the spot with a light touch to his arm. “Please, I would prefer that you don’t tell anyone that I’m here.”

  Jim’s expression turned to one of concern. “I won’t,” he assured her. “If that’s what you want.”

  Chelan let him go. “It is. Right now it’s very important to me.”

  “Very well. You know I would never betray your confidence.”

  “Thank you,” she uttered. “I appreciate that.”

  Chapter 16

  Their afternoon together went smoothly with the majority of the conversation revolving around Jim’s work. They touched on her parents also, Jim filling her in on his interactions with them over the years. Fortunat
ely, there was so much ground to cover, Jim never even had the chance to interrogate her about her long absence, and Chelan never once felt threatened or pressured to divulge anything.

  Later in the afternoon, he made a dinner fit for a king and queen, and after both of them were suitably stuffed, they retired to the living room for more conversation.

  “This day has been wonderful,” she commented contentedly.

  Jim smiled. “This day has been a miracle in my estimation. Every time I look at you, it’s surreal. It’s as if a long-lost ghost just materialized right in front of me.”

  “Well, I have to admit this whole adventure is a little surreal to me, too. I honestly never intended to rekindle any old friendships.”

  Jim shifted in his chair. “I know you’ve made it clear that you don’t want to talk about the past decade, but at some point I really hope you can bring yourself to enlighten me a least a little bit. To say I am perplexed is indeed an understatement.”

  “I know. Let’s just say that my situation has been complicated. My exit was unexpected, but I was presented with an opportunity I simply could not pass up.” Chelan glanced at him and had to struggle to keep from laughing. Indeed, she had been able to pass up nothing that was thrown at her by the Empire. After all, being abducted was not exactly an optional affair.

  Jim stared at her, her features completely unreadable. “I won’t pressure you, of course, but at some point, well, I would give my eyeteeth to know what opportunities were afforded to you that caused you to essentially fake your own death and then walk away from everything and everyone.”

  Chelan smiled. “Like I said, it’s complicated.”

  Jim ran his hand through his hair. “I’ll say.”

  Chelan finally looked down at her watch. “Oh hell, I completely lost track of the time.” She jumped to her feet. “I’m so sorry—I should get going. I’ll go downstairs and hail a cab.”

  Jim sprang to his feet beside her. “You’re right—it’s late. Look, I can take you home, or you could stay here if you wish. But no pressure. I did take a couple of days off, and if you stay, we can get an early start on tomorrow’s activities.”

  Chelan watched his expressions, looking for hidden agendas, but found nothing besides sincerity. “Ah, well, okay, but I don’t have anything with me.”

  Jim nodded. “No problem. I often have guests here, sometimes even clients. The main bathroom is stocked with fresh items, including new toothbrushes. There is a large freshly laundered terry robe on the back of the door, and I could supply you with T-shirts or anything else you wish to sleep in.”

  As fast as she could, Chelan weighed his proposal against the past and calculated the consequences of taking him up on his offer. He seemed genuine, and so far he had been the perfect gentleman. Finally, her weary bones tipped the scale in his favor, and she acquiesced. “Since it is very late, and if you don’t mind—I’ll accept your invitation.”

  The smile that lit Jim’s face could have illuminated a stadium. “Excellent. Well, then, you know where your room is. Can I get you a shirt, ummm… a pair of sweatpants, anything else you need?”

  Chelan almost grinned at her overly enthusiastic host. “It’s okay, Jim. I think I will manage.”

  He nodded. “Well, then, I shall say good night.”

  “’Night, and thank you for everything.”

  “You’re most welcome. I will be up early and in my office, but if you need anything at any time, just give me a shout.”

  Chelan turned away and started out of the living room. She left the man standing there looking like he had just won the lottery, and continued down the hall. Ducking into the main bathroom, she snagged the robe he’d said would be behind the door. Then she continued on to the guest bedroom, closed the door behind her, and locked it.

  Taking another look around, she suddenly realized just how tired she was. She simply slipped out of her jeans and socks and climbed into the massive bed. Instantly, she was out.

  *****

  Upon morning light, she got up and stretched, then looked down at the bed. There were no more servants, she mused, and so she set about making it. Then she took off the rest of her clothes, cocooned herself in the large robe, and tiptoed across the room. Opening her door, she peered down the hall, but Jim was nowhere to be seen. She padded into the washroom and locked the door. Letting the floor-length robe drop, she stepped into the shower, adjusting it to a steamy heat. There she languished, wishing she could stay in the water’s warm embrace until Fremma’s return. But she knew that was not to be, and after a deliciously long time, she stepped out and dried herself slowly.

  She studied the foggy vision of herself in the mirror and smiled. She looked good, but she needed to work out. The complex probably had a weight room, and Jim could direct her there at some point.

  Feeling a little odd about her next activity, she began going through the numerous drawers and cabinets. He hadn’t been kidding when he said the place was well stocked. It had everything from combs, brushes and every hair care product under the sun, to new toothbrushes, shaving supplies, a hair dryer, a curling iron, and, seemingly, a grand selection of antiperspirants. Under one of the sinks was a large supply of feminine products right next to several unopened boxes of condoms. Talk about a convenience store! Add in some refreshments and it was one-stop shopping.

  Chelan straightened and pondered. She wondered what the ratio of male guests, whether clients or friends, to female guests was. Judging by the supplies, she figured the men numbered a pretty paltry few in comparison. She grinned. Well, no matter—it was to her advantage, and she made her selections of the suitable toiletries and then tended to herself.

  When she was done, she slipped back into the robe and then took one last look at herself, focusing on her hair. It was getting to be a real inconvenience, and she briefly thought about cutting it. But then she smiled again. Korba would never forgive her, and her heart warmed. Just the thought of him caused her to melt from within.

  As she stepped out into the hall, she was greeted by the absolutely heavenly smell of bacon. Her mouth watered and she hesitated at the bathroom door. Then, she scampered back to her room to dress.

  Just as she entered the kitchen, Jim swung around, fork in hand. “Good morning. Breakfast will be served soon.”

  “Smells fantastic.”

  Jim threw a smile over his shoulder as he returned to his task. “And how do you like your eggs?”

  “Scrambled.”

  Jim chuckled. “Good thing. The damn things always break on me anyway.”

  Chelan hiked herself up onto a stool at the bar that surrounded part of the island separating the main kitchen from the living room. She looked at his back, clad in a white T-shirt. He was muscular and in superb shape. He was a large man, by Earth’s standards, but Chelan knew the Warlords dwarfed him. He wore a pair of loose-fitting blue jogging shorts, his feet bare. Chelan glanced down at his legs, an unexpected chill hitting her.

  She stood, suddenly feeling queasy. Ticees had hair on his legs. He was more a man of Earth than the Iceanean men, and he had raped her. Chelan tried to clear her thoughts. She was being silly. But she could not quell the lump that had formed in her stomach, and she moved off into the living room.

  “Hey!” Jim called over his shoulder. “Where are you going? Don’t take off now. My culinary masterpiece is nearly done.” He smiled but then stopped. He turned around and studied her. “Chelan?” he called, but she did not respond.

  Jim put down the fork. She seemed to be in another world, her mind and body somehow detached from the here and now. He watched as she moved ever so slowly to the large windows, her eyes staring vacantly into space. She raised her arms and ran her fingers slowly through her hair. The morning sun shone through her T-shirt, giving her supple body the aura of an angel. Jim’s eyes widened, and his mouth dried. “Jesus,” he mumbled to himself.

  He took a moment to tame the unexpected erection that threatened, then he began to round the
island. “Chelan,” he called again just as his toe caught the edge of the stool and sent it crashing.

  Chelan jumped, her hands flying to her throat. She whirled around and watched him stagger to catch his balance, scooping up the toppled stool in one smooth motion. Then she grinned. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  Jim set the stool upright and squared his shoulders. “You were far away there for a moment.”

  “I apologize again. I should be more attentive.”

  Jim stepped up to her and looked down into her dark eyes. Concern edged in on his voice. “You want to talk?”

  Chelan shook her head. “No, I’m okay.”

  Jim reached out and touched her cheek. He saw her eyes fixate on his arm, and he remained still. He thought he could actually see fear register in her pretty eyes, and he pulled his hand back. Something had happened to her while she was gone, and eventually he would find out what. “Come on,” he said softly. “Let’s eat.”

  Chelan’s mind was still struggling with the past. She wobbled on her feet as images of Ticees looming over her invaded her thoughts.

  Jim was becoming worried. She seemed to be almost catatonic. “Chelan,” he whispered.

  Chelan could feel her flesh being torn and the pain that rocked her pelvis. Then he had her arms and he—

  “Chelan!” hollered Jim. “What’s wrong?”

  Her eyes widened as she looked down at the hands that shook her, and she snapped back into reality. She exhaled sharply.

  “Chelan,” Jim called again. “Do you want me to get a doctor? God, you look as though you had seen a ghost.”

  She blinked. Ticees was a ghost—Korba had seen to that personally. She jerked her arms out of Jim’s grasp. “No,” she stated firmly. “I’m okay. I was just remembering something.”

  Jim stared at her. “Something not too good, I’d venture.”

  Chelan finally forced a smile. “It’s okay—I’m all right now. Let’s eat.”

  Jim took a deep breath and ushered her back to her stool. He watched her for a moment or two more, and when she seemed okay, he served the breakfast.