“I wanted to hit a couple of stores, look at some clothes. You know, girl stuff.”
“Aww you should have said so, the females would have abducted you and taken you to the mall in the next town over where you can do real shopping. Their words not mine.”
“I will remember that for next time.” She gave him a smile.
“I’ll just hang around town waiting for you to finish. I’ve been trying to make my way to Victor and Cal’s art studio but I keep getting interrupted, maybe I’ll try again.”
“I’ll look for you when I’m done.” He squeezed her hand before he let it go.
She was standing in front of a store that looked like it catered to women’s lingerie. When was the last time she looked for intimate apparel? She honestly couldn’t remember, which meant it was too long.
She walked into the store past the jeans and a few dresses that were up front. This was a small town so the good stuff would be in the back where no one could see it from the street. A quick hand over her lips kept her from laughing out loud. She was right, this was lingerie heaven.
“Can I help you?” a sales lady asked as she walked up to her. Thank heaven she looked normal.
“I need to update my lingerie collection.”
“Aww you found a special someone. He must be special to attract such a nice looking woman.” She gave her an appreciative look before leading her over to some matching bras and panties.
“I’m betting with all those sinful curves you’d look good in this.”
She held up a little red number that made Taya lust after it. Yeah, lingerie was her thing, sort of like catnip for her.
“You’d look good in this too.”
Was the sales woman hitting on her? She ran her eyes over her body again. Yes! The sales woman was hitting on her. So what? Taya was into men but she knew beauty when she saw it and this woman was beautiful. What a way to get a confidence boost.
Before it was over she was sure she had twenty new pairs of barely there panties with bras to match and for once she didn’t care. Maybe, hopefully, even prayerfully, she might actually put them to use. How was she going to walk out without having at least a pair of pants to show off?
She picked out some clothes to add to her wardrobe and paid. Feeling much better, she walked to the entrance and ran into a woman who was blocking her path.
Chapter Nine
Taya came to a sudden stop a moue of worry on her face. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there.
“That’s okay: it gets a little congested this time of day. There’s a side door that’s better for leaving. I can show you if you want?”
“Sure, that would be nice.” Taya could see the cat—like layer covering the female, but she knew shifters were generally not the enemy and this one seemed nice, sort of.
“Follow me.”
Were her teeth a little sharp when she smiled? Taya tried to tamp down her inner voice who was calling the female a bitch. In fact, she followed her because she felt guilty about making such a rash judgement.
“My name is Taya, what’s yours?
“Melissa, I shop here all the time. You’re going to appreciate what I’m about to show you.”
She led her to a door that didn’t seem like a standard exit. She opened the door and grabbed Taya shoving her out of it.
Taya found herself against the wall in a grimy alley with Melissa’s claws wrapped around her neck.
“Now here’s where the appreciation comes in. When I don’t gut you. I saw you with him.”
“Him?”
“Gabe, I want him and I’m going to have him even if it means killing you. When I’m done with him you can have him, if there’s anything left to have. Stay away from what’s mine.”
“Sorry, I didn’t know he was taken. When he was all over me last night your name never came up.” Did she have a death wish? Why couldn’t she just agree and walk away.
“You bitch.”
“Actually that’s my name for you, so back to the drawing board and let me go.”
“I’m going to kill you.”
“Not today.” She felt the fire begin to tickle her palm, she simply needed it a little bigger and then she could…yep, she could burn her. Taya hands pressed against her stomach.
Melissa howled and jumped back, her clothing on fire. Pulling her shirt over her head she was patting down her skin trying to stop the feeling of flames. She stomped closer to Taya even as her shirt burned on the ground.
“Do you really want to go for round two?” Taya flashed her palm with a flame burning brightly in it.
Melissa backed up. “This isn’t over.”
“Yeah, it is.” She slid down the wall when Melissa was no longer in sight. She was as weak as a kitten. It had taken everything she had to flash that last bit of flame. If Melissa had challenged her, she would have been defenseless.
The sound of footsteps coming her way made her flinch.
“It’s just me.” Gabe came out of the shadows.
“How long have you been here?”
“The whole time. I saw Melissa position herself in front of you at the last minute. When she led you away from the main entrance, I was pretty sure I knew where she was going. I came to watch and offer help if you needed it. You got rid of her all by yourself.” His voice held respect for her. Leaning over, he wrapped his arms around her helping her to her feet.
“Why didn’t you tell me about her?”
“There was nothing to tell. She comes around and I leave. I never thought it was more than her wanting to try out another alien.”
“She seems to have plans for you. Why am I so weak?”
“You were just drained by Zuhun three days ago. You’re nowhere near well or full capacity. Although you were strong to be able to conjure fire that quickly.”
“I don’t think I can walk back.” She hated admitting weakness but telling Gabe just felt right.
“Rylan’s coming.”
“When did you have time to call him?”
“Were twins, I don’t need a phone to call him.”
“Aww,” she picked up her bags and leaned against him as they walked to the edge of the alley.
“How was your shopping?”
Her face flushed red so she hid it. “It was good. Really good.”
“Maybe you’ll show me what you bought later when I’m all over you.” His laughter bounced around her.
Of course he heard that part and there was no being a gentleman and ignoring it. Heck, so what if it was wrong. She stopped and kissed him. Pressed her lips to his and when he opened his mouth, she slipped her tongue in. Heat sizzled along her nerve endings as he took over the kiss. His mouth conquered hers making the panties she was wearing wet. Her pussy clenched and her nipples saluted him before hardening into painful need.
Did she really think his first kiss was sweet? This one was panty melting and she wanted him right here in the alley where anyone could see. She didn’t care just as long as she was getting close to him.
“Ahem. Cough, cough. Seriously you two, why ask for a ride if you don’t want it?”
She pulled back to see Rylan leaning against the side of a vehicle waiting for them. Her face flamed red but she couldn’t bring herself to care.
“Ry, I thought I told you to take your time.”
“You did after I was already here. Before that I’m sure I picked up an urgency in your voice.”
Gabe grunted at his brother causing him to laugh. He helped Taya into the back seat and sat next to her.
“We need to get you home so you can lie down.”
“Some of us like to stand, sit, and in general try out new positions. Seems Gabe is a missionary sort of guy. Sorry, Taya.” Rylan’s eyes sparkled as he met hers in the rearview mirror.
Her mouth gaped open and then she started laughing. There was a happy feeling in her gut that told her that Rylan accepted her as part of the family.
“Ry, any time you need pointers just ask me. I’d
hate to see my sister go unsatisfied.”
She shook her head, being an only child she wasn’t used to the back and forth but she liked it. Gabe pulled her into his arms allowing her to get comfortable. She drifted off not realizing how tired she truly was.
“Taya, wake up. We’re home.”
Home, she hadn’t had one of those in over a year. The thought curled around her brain, for a minute she wanted to make it true. To call this place and this male home. Good thing common sense was one of her best friends.
She sat up with her hand covering her mouth as she tried to discreetly yawn.
“Sorry I fell asleep on you.”
“I’m not.” Gabe walked around the vehicle and opened the door for her, taking her hand to help her out. “You should think about getting some sleep.”
She nodded before grabbing her packages and going inside the bed and breakfast.
“There you are,” Paige called out when she entered. “We’ve been looking for you. Wondering where you went.”
“You went shopping without us?” Selma looked at her bags before casting an accusing glance. If it weren’t for the laughter in her eyes she would have felt guilty.
“Sorry, Gabe mentioned that I should have told you after we got to town.”
“Don’t worry, we will be going again. Whatever you have in those bags doesn’t look big enough to fill out your wardrobe.”
Taya flushed and looked down at her bags. She might fool the males but the women knew enough to know it wasn’t cut off shorts and shirts in her bags.
“I think I’m sick. The more she blushes, the more I want to see just how nice the things are in her bag.” Paige gave a rueful laugh making everyone laugh with her.
“Come, have a seat,” Aviana patted the couch next to her. “I knew where you were. I even told them but they liked the mystery more.”
“How did you know?” She looked Aviana over wondering if she was watching from the window when they left.
“I’m soul-bonded to Rylan. If you think Gabe leaves this house without his brother knowing, think again. When I first met them, Gabe was the brother keeping tabs on Rylan. Now things have changed and it’s the other way around.”
She took a seat on the sofa noting how comfortable it was. The room seemed to fit all of them well. Although she was sure when she looked in earlier Victor and Selma were sitting in here and the room seemed so small, intimate and cozy. It didn’t make sense.
“Is there a problem with Gabe?”
She turned to study Aviana. She loved her dark skin; it almost made her look like royalty with those brown eyes that lit up with an inner fire. It was like she could see everything. She noted that she was just a little bigger than she was. Which actually gave her hope that Gabe really did like her curves and wasn’t just desperate for a wife.
“I think you need to ask Gabe.”
“He’s not going to tell me. Please if there’s something I should know, tell me.”
Maybe he was a killer? Okay, now she was thinking stupid thoughts. That male wasn’t a killer but maybe he was in trouble. Maybe the alien police were coming after him? What if it had something to do with Melissa? So yeah, her brain was going to come up with a thousand things until she knew what was going on.
“Rylan is worried about him. He thinks that until Gabe gets soul-bonded he may slip into a form of insanity that would cause him to have to terminate Gabe’s life.”
Taya sat there, she didn’t move, or open her mouth. She simply waited to wake up from the nightmare she was currently in. Was it possible she was still lying on the table in Zuhun’s attic?
“Taya, are you all right?” Aviana’s frantic voice reached her but she ignored it.
Any minute now the nightmare would end. She knew it was a nightmare because there was no way, nice, sweet, Aviana had mentioned death and Gabe in the same sentence. Wake up, she whispered to herself.
“It’s not a nightmare,” Selma’s voice penetrated her brain. There was an ancient feeling to Selma. When she spoke Taya had to listen.
“It has to be a nightmare because no one in their right mind thinks I’m going to let them hurt Gabe.”
“That’s nice to hear but it’s going to take more than that.”
Taya finally moved, turning to face Selma. “Then why don’t you explain what it will take.”
“Paige,” Selma said her name but nothing else.
“My story starts when I walked down an alley in LA.” She went on to explain how she came to know Cal, how she had to make a decision about taking a test, and would she even pass it in order to become soul-bonded.
When she was done, Aviana picked up the story describing her first meeting with Rylan and then Gabe. The test was so different for her. There was no way to tell what Taya would go through if she decided to soul-bond with Gabe. On this one thing they were all clear. This was forever. She owed it to herself to do what was right for Taya and let Gabe take care of himself.
When they were done, she picked up her bags, said a polite thank you, and walked out the room and up the stairs until she reached her room. With care she locked the door behind her, put up her purchases that she knew she would no longer need, and went to lie on the bed. She pulled the covers over her head and sank into a deep sleep.
There was a knock at the door telling her it was dinner time. She politely declined and went back to sleep. When the next day came she did the same thing. She wasn’t hungry and she wasn’t leaving the room.
Seven days she holed up in her room. Soon she would have to get some food but she was still thinking. Huh, she bet her doctor would be praising her on how she ignored her stomach and stayed in bed ignoring the world.
There was another knock at the door, one she ignored.
“Taya, it’s been seven days and I haven’t said a word. So I’m saying it now. It’s over. You have sixty minutes to get up, clean up, and meet me downstairs for breakfast or I will take the door off the hinges and bring breakfast to you. Believe me; you won’t like what happens after that.”
She listened to Gabe walked away. A quick check of her watch showed she was down to fifty-eight minutes. Jumping up, she headed to the bathroom. Why? Because she believed him.
Chapter Ten
It didn’t take her an hour to get ready, but it did take her an hour to get the courage to place her hand on the door knob and turn. She watched the minute’s tick down on the phone as she slowly descended the stairs entering the kitchen just as the hour struck. The trek had been silent. There wasn’t one person in sight; it was like they all cleared out so they couldn’t be considered material witnesses in case Gabe needed to take her door down.
Gabe was at the stove cooking with his back to her. The smell of the food made her stomach rumble. Maybe not eating for a week wasn’t the smartest especially given the fact that she had been exhausted from her vacation at Zuhun land.
“Sit before you fall.” His back was still to her, how did he know?
She made her way over to the island. Wait…there wasn’t an island anymore; in fact the kitchen was totally different. Should she complain? Bring it to their attention that the house seems possessed or simply be grateful she didn’t have to climb up on those high stools? Gratitude for now; she could always use the possessed house as part of her defense later.
“In most cases having rested would have helped you, but you got very little sleep. In fact, I would say that except for the first day you barely got any sleep at all, and the lack of food has made you weaker than when you faced Melissa.”
“How do you know?” Her voice came out snarky. How dare he act like he had her best interest at heart.
He turned around, his eyes looked red and tired. Several days’ growth of beard was on his chin. Hmm, she liked him clean shaven but the look on his face was scaring her. What was wrong with him?
“What’s wrong with you?” She got up swaying slightly on her feet before she steadied herself on the table and walked to him.
“Wh
at’s wrong with you!” This time she screamed it. One of them needed to be okay and she wasn’t okay right now.
He wrapped her in his arms and just held her close.
“I’m connected to you, Taya. I don’t know how it happened but it happened. I felt your pain and all I wanted to do was kick the door in and come to you, but I waited until I couldn’t wait anymore. Turns out, if you don’t sleep neither do I.” He led her back to her seat and went to the stove to finish cooking.
He placed breakfast in front of her. Thick pieces of French toast layered with strawberries and whipped cream.
“You really are connected to me. I’ve been thinking about this exact meal for days now.”
“I know.” He grabbed a couple of glasses and filled them with milk before getting a plate for himself and sitting next to her.
She cut into her food keeping her eyes lowered, scared of what she might actually see if she looked into his eyes. The silence stretched out between them as they ate. When they were done, they cleaned the kitchen together before moving out to the front porch.
Staying in her room hadn’t helped; she was still at a cross road with Gabe and she honestly didn’t know what to do. She could still hear the voice of her mother telling her she would make the right decision. Well, hiding under the covers wasn’t it. Walking away didn’t feel like it either, but was getting married the right thing to do? That was a non-refundable action and just seemed silly.
“Who’s that?” There was an older male walking up to the bed and breakfast who she had never seen before and although her danger meter wasn’t ringing, after Melissa her trust meter was rather low. He stood tall with his back straight and his shoulders squared. She got the impression of age from him but couldn’t tell with the way he was built. His hair was long with some silver shot through it. He had it tied at the nape of his neck with a leather tie. He might be too old for her but that wouldn’t stop her from looking if Gabe didn’t already have her full attention. His well-worn jeans and button down flannel made him look desirable.
Gabe's Destiny (Alien Mates Book Three) Page 6