From The Deep

by From the Deep (anthology) [lit]

  “Roman, can you hear me?”

  Asia was aware he shouldn’t go to a hospital. The last thing any of them needed was a curious doctor or lab technician. The Resident Orcas probably had their own healer the same as their tribe did. Asia eased out a frustrated breath wondering what to do. Damn, she couldn’t take Roman to their healer either. That would be more dangerous than the hospital.

  A groan dragged her mind away from the dilemma.

  “Roman,” she whispered.

  “What happened?” Frank crouched down beside them.

  “Are you all right?” a cleaner asked, her wrinkled face pale with concern.

  Roman struggled to sit, groaning even though Asia helped him.

  “Someone attacked him,” Asia said. “Roman, you okay? Do you want to go to the hospital?”

  “No. I’m fine,” he said, but he didn’t sound like the Roman of earlier.

  “I’ll call the cops. And an ambulance,” Frank added.

  “No,” Asia said instinctively. On seeing Frank’s incredulous look she tried to make things right. “I don’t think he needs an ambulance. I’ll take care of him.” Judging by the expression on Frank’s face, she’d only succeeded in making it worse.

  “What were they after? Do you think it was money?” the cleaner asked with avid curiosity.

  Asia frowned at the question. “They didn’t seem interested in stealing anything. Maybe it was drug related.” The attack had seemed almost frenzied. Drugs were the only explanation that made sense.

  “We’d better call the cops,” Frank said, turning to head inside.

  Asia stayed him with a hand on his forearm. “It’s late. I’ll do it tomorrow morning, otherwise none of us will see our beds before daybreak.” Asia pulled out a cell phone and pressed a speed dial number. “Cab for Scarlet at the Blue Venetian Nightclub please. Ten minutes? Great.”

  She closed the phone with a snap and glanced at Roman. His eyes were focused and open. “You okay? Do you think anything’s broken?”

  “I’m fine.” He attempted to stand and wavered a fraction before Asia wrapped her arm around his waist to steady him. Roman didn’t look fine. His cheeks were pale and judging by his scrunched up brow, his head ached. And his voice held only a fraction of the self-assurance she’d noticed earlier. Asia suppressed a snort. Kind of ironic really. She’d wanted a hot date and all that might entail, but now it looked as though she’d end up with babysitting duties.

  “You’d better go and finish up,” Frank told the cleaner. She nodded but turned away unwillingly as if she thought she might miss something. “I’ll wait until the taxi arrives.”

  A white Fairlane pulled up outside the nightclub ten minutes later as promised by the dispatcher. Asia waved goodnight to Frank and climbed into the back seat with Roman. The fifteen-minute trip home to her Newmarket apartment was completed in silence. Roman lay slumped in the corner of the cab, his eyes closed. Asia cast him a worried look. Perhaps she should have risked a visit to the hospital?

  Asia leaned forward to speak to the driver. “Just in front of the car parked up there.”

  The taxi pulled up, and Asia handed the driver a credit card. With the payment taken care of, she turned to Roman. “You awake?” She gave his shoulder a gentle nudge and let out a sigh of relief when his eyes opened and he seemed more alert.

  Roman yawned. “We home?”

  “Yes.” Asia grabbed her bag and slid from the cab, waiting to steady him if he needed her help. “I’m sure you’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep.” She hoped. If he didn’t show signs of drastic improvement tomorrow morning, she’d have to think about calling the Transient’s healer. And that would really stir things up.

  Asia slipped her arm around his waist and led him toward the entrance to the apartment block she lived in whenever she was in the city.

  “My head’s sore,” Roman mumbled. “Tired.”

  “We’ll have you in bed soon,” Asia promised. Mention of bed brought an entirely different scenario to her mind. Story of her life, she thought, shoving the vision out of her head. It refused to leave. The play of muscles beneath her hand and his masculine scent undid all her good resolutions to play Good Samaritan. The initial attraction she’d felt had strengthened. Weird, considering she wasn’t one to make snap judgments. According to her family, she was the original planner, and they didn’t say that in a nice way. Asia admitted it. She considered things from all angles before coming to a decision, weighing up the pros and cons. And there was nothing wrong with running her life in that way, even if her family thought differently.

  “Here we are.” Asia pulled away from Roman to rifle through her bag for her keys.

  “You look very sexy tonight,” he murmured, his smoky voice sending shivers of delight through her. “It’s a pity I’m feeling so tired. Perhaps we can discuss how sexy you look again tomorrow morning?”

  The keys slipped from her hands and landed on the tiled floor with a metallic clang. Asia stooped to pick them up, then stood.

  “What do you say? We on a promise?”

  Asia felt her jaw go slack and hurriedly clamped her lips together. She hadn’t heard wrong! “Um ... okay.” He’d probably forget he’d said that by the morning. After opening the door, she directed Roman inside. She flicked on the hall light, paused to lock the door, then guided him toward the bedroom--her bedroom. Asia swallowed the nerves that leapt up from her stomach to combine in a knot at the back of her throat. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips.

  “I’m gonna shower before hitting the sack. Okay with you, sweetheart?”

  “Um, sure.” The idea of him, naked in her shower pushed her libido a notch higher. Oh, this wasn’t fair! He’d remember everything tomorrow and head back to his island kingdom without another word of sex or bed or anything resembling horizontal.

  “You going to shower with me?”

  Asia felt herself blink. Oh, man, was she tempted, but it wasn’t right to take advantage of a man in this condition. “You need to sleep. If I shower with you we’ll get sidetracked.”

  Roman’s dark gaze moved slowly down her body, then back up to her face. A sexy smile bloomed on his battered face. “That is true,” he acknowledged. “Maybe you’re right. It’ll be quicker if I shower on my own.” He slipped the ripped and bloody suit jacket off and let it drop to the floor.

  When he started to undo his shirt Asia decided it was time to flee. “I’ll grab you a clean towel.” She shot from her bedroom as if a pack of Resident Orcas were after her. Her breathing had turned choppy, and her palms were moist. She felt as though she’d swum across the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand in record time. Asia wiped the dampness from her palms and took a deep breath. This couldn’t go on. She was an adult, for goodness sake! With trembling hands, she tugged open the cupboard and seized several towels.

  The pipes clanked, indicating Roman had found the shower and turned on the water. Just the image of his naked body made her break out into a cold sweat. Asia scowled. Suddenly all she could think of was sex. The rush of pleasure at the moment of orgasm. Doing it with Roman. Her steps slowed. She heard the shower door open and close and imagined his naked body. Muscled. Tanned. Very touchable.

  Oh, boy.

  Asia fanned her flushed face. Sucking in a deep breath, she headed for the bathroom and temptation. “He’s injured,” she whispered. “You shouldn’t be thinking about him like this.” Besides, he’s a sworn enemy of our tribe.

  Asia stepped into the bathroom, her gaze shooting toward the shower. Despite the fragrant steam that filled the room, she could see his body without difficulty. And it was just as spectacular as she’d imagined.

  The water shut off, and the shower door opened. Asia thrust the towels at Roman, trying hard not to stare. It was all of two seconds before her resolve weakened, and she sneaked a peek. Powerful shoulders gave way to a tight, trim waist and slim hips. Muscles. Oh, yeah ... muscles! Tight, toned and sexy. Asia craved a touch. The only tro
uble was that he’d just been pummeled like a punching bag. She shouldn’t have sex on the brain. This crush she had on Roman Anderson was bad news. A quick roll in the sack and a few hasty kisses were one thing, but this insidious craving for more had to stop! Before someone got hurt. Before she got hurt. A relationship between members of opposing tribes was out of the question. Her family would never speak to her again, and Asia freely admitted that would hurt. Despite their faults, she loved her family members and couldn’t imagine going through the rest of her life never seeing them. Being isolated. A male wasn’t worth that kind of sacrifice, not even an orca who turned her on.

  “You’re going to feel sore tomorrow,” she muttered after catching his dark gaze on her face. Damn, that was definitely interest she saw in his eyes. This had to stop. Now. Be strong!

  “Maybe,” he conceded, glancing down at his colored ribs in a disinterested manner. “I’m tired. Just want to sleep.” He leaned closer to buzz a kiss across her lips before dropping the towel on the floor and sauntering back to the bedroom.

  Asia gaped at his bare ass and then at the wet buttercup yellow towel on the bathroom floor. She didn’t know which disturbed her most--the expanse of naked temptation or the fact that he expected her to pick up after him. Her astonishment turned to a scowl, and she kicked the towel out of her way. It hit the wall and settled, damp and taunting, in a soggy pile. A groan from the bedroom had her sprinting to investigate. She arrived beside her queen-sized bed to see Roman sprawled out, still buck-naked and looking very comfortable. Asia swallowed another attack of sudden lust. Her fingers itched to touch. The front view surpassed the rear one, she decided on a decadent sigh. Jeepers, this was not fair! Asia stepped a little closer. A soft chuckle jerked her gaze from his groin region.

  “Hold that thought, babe.” He gave a sleepy grin and let his eyes drift closed. “Cause I intend to collect on it tomorrow.”

  Asia stared, studying Roman with a combination of awe and astonishment and desire. Oh, yes, despite logic telling her seeing Roman was a mistake and her acceptance of the problems a relationship between the two would bring, she desired him.

  She wanted him.

  She craved, dammit!

  A gentle snore erupted, interrupting her mental struggles about what was right and proper. At least he was sleeping and peacefully. In the morning, she’d send him on his way and put the whole sorry episode behind her. Meantime, Roman Anderson was sleeping in her bed. Heaving a resigned sigh, Asia collected her nightie from under the pillow on the other side of the bed. The only thing that was going right tonight, she decided. With a last look at Roman, she headed for the spare bedroom.

  The alarm went off way too early, but thoughts of Roman had kept her awake for what was left of the night, tossing and turning until the bedclothes were in a helpless mess. Asia stumbled from the bed and slammed her palm down on the off button of the alarm. The piercing racket shut off leaving blissful silence. Asia cast a longing glance at the bed but dragged herself away, knowing she needed to check on Roman. Her steps quickened, and she burst into her bedroom.

  Roman lay on his side with his back to her. Not a sound broke the silence in the bedroom and alarm grew in Asia. She rushed up to the bed, her heart thudding in sudden horror. Was he dead? Had she screwed up by not taking him to the hospital? She rounded the bed and leaned over to peer closely. He couldn’t be dead. He couldn’t. Asia imagined the kafuffle and shivered inwardly. The man wasn’t breathing. With a trembling hand, she reached out to touch his shoulder. Just as her hand touched his bare skin, he moved.

  Asia let out a shriek and tried to jump away from the bed.

  “Morning, babe. I missed you.” He held her fast, despite her struggles, then jerked her onto the bed.

  Asia toppled against his naked chest, shock rendering her silent for an instant.

  “Where have you been? I woke up and you weren’t here.”

  Asia thumped him in the middle of the chest and immediately felt guilty when he winced. “Sorry. You gave me a fright. I thought you were sick.”

  “My ribs are sore, and I have a bit of a headache, but apart from that I feel fine.” Roman nuzzled the soft skin of her neck and shifted slightly so their bodies were aligned.

  A shiver swept the length of her body, and she was acutely conscious of the fact that Roman was naked beneath the sheet and all she wore was a thin silk nightie. She wriggled.

  “Babe, watch that wriggling.”

  Asia was slow to understand, then he took her hand and placed it firmly on his morning erection. The glint in his dark eyes confirmed exactly where his thoughts were headed.

  “Um, I don’t think you ... we should do this so soon after--”

  “What’s wrong with wanting to make love to my wife?” Roman demanded, and he kissed her, sealing her denial against his lips.

  Chapter Two

  Roman Anderson thought they were married.

  Married!

  The word reverberated through her head while he continued to kiss her, nibbling at her lips until she gasped. He took immediate advantage, his tongue sliding inside her mouth, stroking, teasing and generally making her crazy for more of the same. He drew her closer still, kicking free of the sheet that covered him and rolling so he pressed her deeper into the mattress. Her heart reveled in the weight of him. His scent--her soap from his early morning shower--drove her crazy. Touch. She wanted to touch, and ignoring the voice of reason, she did. Trembling hands cupped his face and slid through his silky dark hair. A moan built deep in her chest while her pulse rate doubled.

  Roman eased out of the kiss and drew back to smile down at her. “How did I ever luck out getting you to marry me?”

  Asia swallowed. Someone hit you on the head! If you were in your right mind you wouldn’t be here. Guilt rose to nip her sharply in the conscience. She had to tell him the truth before the lie became too big. It had already taken on a life of its own.

  Roman grinned. “Not going to answer. You never used to--” He broke off with a trace of confusion, his hands tightening painfully on her shoulders. When he noticed her wince, he grimaced an apology and bent to soothe the ache with a kiss. “What’s going on? I don’t remember. I don’t remember how we met or our wedding day or anything.” Roman removed his hands from her shoulders and sat up on the bed. He ran a hand through his thick hair. “Dammit, I can’t remember your name!”

  Asia sat up and wrapped her arms around his shuddering shoulders. “Shh. It’s okay,” she murmured. “Do you remember last night?”

  She held her breath, awaiting his answer.

  “I remember waking up on the ground in that alley,” he said after a long silence. “But that’s it!”

  His frustration was clear, but Asia wasn’t about to tell him they were mortal enemies. Or at least their families were. And she wasn’t about to try to contact his family either. That would be suicide. “It will be okay,” she repeated. “Obviously the thump on your head has affected your memory. Do you feel any pain? Should I take you to the hospital? You didn’t want to go last night.”

  “I feel about as good as a man can expect after being thumped by a bunch of thugs. I don’t think I like hospitals,” Roman said, a grimace highlighting his words. “There’s this sort of panicky sensation inside me the moment I hear the word.”

  Asia wasn’t surprised. The need for secrecy was bred into them and reinforced from the moment their mothers pushed them out of the deep water for their first breath. Fear of discovery kept their species alive in this modern world.

  Roman’s savage curse broke into her thoughts. “Damn, you’d think I’d remember my wife’s name.”

  “Asia. My name is Asia.”

  He stared at her intently before nodding. “Yeah. Okay. That fits you. Exotic and beautiful just like you. What happened to the hair?”

  Oh, shit. She’d forgotten about taking the wig off. She thanked her lucky stars again that she’d touched up the regrowth a few days earlier so not a bit of the giveaway
orca white showed at her temple. “I use the wig for my singing act.”

  “So I’m the only one that sees the real you,” he murmured, his voice low and throaty and full of sexual promise.

  A tingle sprang to life at her breasts. Her nipples puckered against the silk of her nightgown.

  Roman reached out and used the tip of one finger to trace along the neckline of her gown. Asia’s breath caught. His finger dipped, traveling into bountiful cleavage.

  “I think my wife is beautiful.”

  “But I’m not--”

  Roman captured her denial against his lips and she wasn’t about to deny herself the expertise of his mouth. She’d tell him later, she thought, her mind fogging and unable to think much past the man who seemed intent on having his wicked way with her.

  “I think this should go,” he murmured when they came up for air. Before she could voice a protest, he had the silk nightgown off and flying through the air. Asia watched with resignation as the silk puddled to a stop in the middle of her bedroom floor. The man seemed to have a penchant for dropping things on the floor.

  “Beautiful,” he whispered. “God, how could I forget your perfection? Your breasts are beautiful.” He cupped the creamy curves with his tanned hands, and lifted one to his mouth. “Big, luscious and beautiful. Just the way I like.” His eyes drifted shut as he concentrated on taste and sensation.

  Asia felt torn even as the feel of his mouth drawing on her nipple pulled her deeper into his sensual spell. She wanted to tell the truth but didn’t want to end the pleasure that his fingers and mouth set alight. Her teeth sank into her bottom lip. Damn, the man was a magician and they hadn’t even gotten to the good part yet. She bit down harder. It sure as heck looked as though they were heading for the good part. Maybe she’d tell him ... later. After all, they would have ended up in bed last night if the date had taken its course. Maybe. Probably, she acknowledged in a burst of honesty. Roman Anderson would be difficult to resist.