Alexandre

by Shelley Munro

  She tried to maintain eye contact, but the rapid changes in his appearance made her dizzy. She had to glance away. “Well, are you going to tell me?”

  “I—”

  “Wait!” Fear struck Lily without warning. Maybe she didn’t want to know after all. Instinct told her she wouldn’t like his answers. Uneasiness made her shuffle from foot to foot. “I’m frightened,” she confessed, squeezing her eyes shut. “But I guess I knew what we had was short term.”

  “Sit.” Alex pulled out a chair for her. “I’ll make coffee and we’ll talk.”

  The wait did nothing to settle her nerves. This was worse than listening to Ambrose pontificate about why their marriage hadn’t worked and why the blame lay at her feet. Lily jumped to her feet and strode over to the window just for something to keep her occupied. Once there, she pulled up the cedar blinds and stared at the punga ferns and the sparkling sea beyond. Ambrose’s voice echoed through her mind. Her fault because she didn’t have what it took to attract a man.

  “Lily, the coffee is ready.”

  She turned from the vista, suddenly aware of the pungent scent of coffee beans. She thought she might throw up if she drank a cup of coffee.

  Alex set two mugs of coffee on the table along with a selection of pastries.

  The pastries sent her stomach wildly lurching. “Where did these come from?”

  “They were delivered a few minutes ago. Didn’t you hear the door?”

  Lily sucked in a slow breath, trying to draw on inner strength. She remembered that Alex had called her beautiful and clung to the thought. But fear still stalked her mind, negating all her efforts for calm. Alex’s appearance flashing off and on didn’t help. At least the changes seemed to have slowed.

  Alex sat opposite. Lily glanced at him then ripped her gaze away to stare instead at her coffee mug. Maybe if she concentrated hard on the rising steam, she wouldn’t cry or throw up.

  “My real name is Alexandre Bellangere.”

  Lily did look at him then. She hadn’t expected a false name. “I’m more interested in what’s going on with your body. You’re switching colors like a traffic light. Is that one of the things I was meant to discover along the way?”

  “On Dalcon,” Alex continued as if she’d never interrupted, “I am a member of the royal court. Males in my position don’t take up a trade since it’s considered common. I wanted—needed—the challenge, and so, I found a way to leave. I purchased a spell to change my appearance, firstly so I could leave without messy problems and secondly, so I didn’t attract attention.”

  Not attract attention? That didn’t make sense. The man was a babe. A hunk with shoulder-length curly hair, golden skin and brown eyes. Then there was the bod. Muscles. Broad shoulders. Six-pack abs. The whole works.

  “But you’re gorgeous,” Lily blurted. “How did you think you’d blend in looking the way you do? Haven’t you seen the way women look at you? Not just women my age either. School girls and grandmothers look at you with the same fascination.”

  Her words startled him, but then he remembered the owner of the kebab shop, the giggling schoolgirls. Janet in Martinborough. “Describe how you see me.”

  “Tall. Blond. Sexy.”

  Alex’s mind seized on one word. Blond. “Why the hell am I seeing black in the mirror?” he demanded, tugging at a lock of hair. “Are you saying that everyone on Earth sees a blond male? My normal appearance,” he mused out loud. “But Janaya and Luke didn’t and neither did Hinekiri or Richard because they didn’t recognize me.”

  “Should they?”

  Alex nodded, but didn’t go into detail. What had the crone said? People on Dalcon would not see him. He hadn’t taken her words literally. He should have. The crone had muttered about not missing a spell or there would be dire consequences, and people would see what they should not see. He should have taken that literally, too. He should have asked the crone about the fine print, the small details, but he’d been so excited to outwit the palace guards he’d grabbed the opportunity. Now, he risked losing Lily’s friendship and love because she could see both visages—his disguise and his true self.

  “You can’t go outside like that.” Lily stalked around the small wooden coffee table and stopped to clench her hands around an upright chair. “How did you keep from doing that before?”

  “My top-up spell was in one of the bags that were stolen. I think…I hope it will wear off.”

  “Then what?” Lily asked in a flat tone.

  Ah, bonding. How the hell did he explain that? Hopefully Luke and Janaya—no, Lily had said she hadn’t really talked to them about things alien. “You’ll agree that we’re good together,” he began. Between the space of yesterday and this morning, Alex had decided he couldn’t leave Earth without Lily. Although joining with her would make almost impossible to return to Dalcon, there were other planets, other galaxies where a thwarted father couldn’t interfere.

  Of course, he wouldn’t have the satisfaction of proving to his father he could be a productive citizen, but he could still successfully run Bellangere Grand Tours. The main thing was whatever he did Lily was there to share it with him. His own Renaissance painting. A painting by Botticelli, just like the one in his guidebook. His heart lightened at the thought. He hadn’t admitted it to himself before, but he made the effort now. When he was apart from Lily, a slice of his heart was missing. Lily made him whole. There, he’d admitted it.

  He only hoped that Lily felt the same way.

  “Will you join with me?” Oh, yeah. That was great. Blurt it out before you lay the groundwork. Too late now—the damage was done. Alex stilled, praying to the saints under his breath as he waited for Lily’s reply.

  Lily chewed on her bottom lip, and Alex’s heart stuttered with instant alarm. Her serious gaze skimming over him, over his body bred panic. “We’ve bonded,” he blurted. “Our souls have recognized each other and have bonded already. Joining is the Dalconian way of formalizing the union.” He watched her anxiously—the way she chewed on her lip until it was a deep, rose red. The redder her lips became, the more he worried.

  “Explain joining to me. I don’t understand.”

  “I think marriage is the Earth equivalent.”

  “Marriage?”

  Damn, she was still abusing her bottom lip. Alex ached to soothe it, to lay her down and sink deep into her body. Claiming Lily. Showing her the depth of his feelings, instead of trying to put it into words.

  “We’re good together.” He meant every word. This was no comforting placation. Lily treated him like an equal instead of a piece of arse only good for one thing. She never made him feel like a pretty face or an accessory whose only job was to decorate her arm. Her determination and gentleness, her innocence and even her clumsiness were endearing. And her growing feistiness.

  Lily made him feel worthy, as if he could do anything.

  Of course, his father wouldn’t agree, which was why they could never return to Dalcon without heavy strategic planning and maybe a spell or two.

  “We’re compatible,” he insisted.

  “I thought Ambrose and I were well-matched, but we lived a lie.” Lily glared at him. “Your version of truth is like elastic. You lied to me about your identity. That’s no basis for a relationship.”

  She didn’t know the whole of it. “Will you at least consider my proposal?”

  Alex didn’t intend to tell her the whole truth until he had to. He didn’t want to scare her off with either his identity, his father’s position of power or the implications of bonding. She didn’t understand yet. “I know you want to travel. We can do it together. We have so much in common.” Like they’d bonded. Fate had joined them already.

  “I have commitments here. Debts to pay. I can’t go off—”

  Frustrated with her stance and irritated at himself because he was unable to explain, Alex did the only thing he could think of to turn her to his way of thinking. He seized Lily and kissed her.

  Hard. Desperately.r />
  His lips ate at hers, his mouth moving hungrily before he gentled to nibble on her top lip. When she didn’t respond, Alex slowed the kiss even more, persuading rather than demanding. Lily moaned softly and drew closer. Her hands stroked restlessly up and down his back. Their lips moved together, tongues twirling slow and easy, exploring and arousing. A mating of the lips—an act of possession. A statement of intent.

  Alex pulled away and stared into her blue eyes. “Please say you’ll think about joining.” If he could persuade her rather than ordering her, he sensed the situation would remain calm instead of flying into volatile.

  Lily smiled suddenly and traced a gentle finger across his cheek. “You seem to have stopped flashing.”

  “Good,” Alex said with a great deal of feeling. At least she was still speaking to him. That was a start. “A paper bag over my head would have made sightseeing a bit difficult.”

  “Not to mention attracting attention.” A gamine grin lit her face. “Perhaps we should work out a disguise for you in case. How do you fancy a dress teamed with heels?”

  “Not. I’d probably sprawl on my face and show my knickers.”

  “I wasn’t suggesting you wear panties.”

  The deadpan look on her face got him—at first. Then he caught sight of a sassy twinkle. “Very funny. Are you eating?” Alex picked up his mug of coffee and grimaced. “Cold. I’ll pour more coffee.”

  Lily glanced at the plate of warm pastries and the coffee. She shuddered slightly. “Maybe later. I think I’ll have a shower.” She started for the stairs leading to the master bathroom.

  Alex felt the grin that sprinted across his face and suspected it looked suggestive or even plain down and dirty. Instantly his body leapt to lust-mode. “I’ll come and scrub your back.” To his relief definite interest sparkled in her eyes.

  “Think you can manage without sex taking hold of your mind?”

  “I doubt it.”

  Lily snickered. “Good. Let’s go.”

  They climbed the wide stairs together to the bathroom. Not one curtain or blind blocked the stunning floor-to-ceiling windows or the magnificent view of the coast, but anyone using the room remained assured of privacy since they were high up, away from prying eyes.

  Alex untied the belt at her waist and hung the robe on a convenient hook. He shrugged out of his and hung it next to Lily’s. He noticed how great the robes looked next to each other. A goofy grin appeared. He was definitely hung up on Lily.

  Lily had already turned the water on and stood beneath the six jets of water spraying from concealed showerheads.

  He had to touch her. The need to explore her curves was a compulsion. Alex soaped his hands with the lemon gel provided by the lodge. A heady scent, reminding him of the palace gardens, surrounded them, intensified by the sultry heat of the morning sun and the warm water pounding over their naked bodies.

  Alex stepped behind Lily and cupped her breasts, soaping them carefully with attention to each rounded curve. Her nipples puckered beneath his palms. Lily released a soft sigh and leaned against his body.

  “Feel good?” He ached to mark her with his personal brand, that of the Royal House of Dalcon, so everyone knew, without doubt, they were a couple but she wasn’t ready. He’d lied enough—he wouldn’t trick her, too.

  His erection brushed against the crevice separating her butt cheeks. Insistent need strummed through his body, but he resisted, knowing the payoff would be so much greater if he waited until they were both delirious with need. Lily’s head lay against his shoulder, her wet, brown hair tickling across his collarbone. Contentment settled around him like a plaid blanket. After searching for so long, he’d finally found a home with Lily. Nothing would come between them. Nothing. His hand wandered across her rounded belly, her hipbone, then lower to tease her clit. She was ready for him and the knowledge brought him to his knees.

  Lily would soon wear his mark.

  Joining with Lily meant more than aimless, casual sex. His heart pounded, and he felt like a raw undergrown having sex for the first time. His fingers shook, his tom swelled to impossible hardness, and his throat tightened with emotion. Pressure built behind his eyes, despite his best efforts. Alex slid a questing finger inside her. His eyelids closed, he bit his lip, but his eyes started leaking regardless.

  “Ah, Lily,” he murmured, needing to be inside her so badly he trembled. “Turn around, moon heart. Put your arms around my neck.” He lifted her effortlessly. Her legs twined around his waist, opening her pussy to him. Alex slid home in one seamless thrust, and his eyes leaked salty tears of emotion at the loving with his true mate.

  “Lily! Lily! Alex! Alex!” Frantic scratching at the door on the ground level announced Killer’s presence.

  Alex stilled, deeply seated in Lily.

  “Don’t stop.”

  He felt faint tremors of her womb, clasping his tom.

  “Alex, let me in. Bad people here. Come quick!”

  “Shit.” Alex bit off the word low with feeling. “Killer’s downstairs. She says the bad people are here.”

  Lily gazed at him through languorous eyes. She clenched her womb and a bolt of lust blindsided him. “I can’t hear her.”

  “Lily, I want to finish this more than anything, but I don’t think Killer is joking.” Alex listened intently.

  “I can’t hear her,” she repeated.

  Alex turned off the water and the sound of shrill barking became clearly audible. He separated their bodies with regret.

  “You’re right.” Lily sounded disappointed.

  Alex grabbed a towel and threw another to Lily. He wrapped the white towel around his waist and stomped down the stairs. Killer’s barks ceased and when Alex yanked open the door, she shot inside.

  “Shut door,” she gasped. “Men coming.”

  “What men? What do they look like?”

  “One small. Dark hair. Bit fat. Other much bigger. Skinny.”

  Alex peered through the door. “I can’t see anyone.”

  “They come,” Killer said. “I hear them talk to office lady. One that check your butt.”

  “A woman with supreme good taste,” Lily murmured.

  Killer spun around so quickly, Alex was surprised her spots didn’t remain behind. She took one look at Lily and growled. “You do thing together. Again! Bad. Very bad. Make Janaya angry at Killer. Not get collar.” She turned back to Alex and stalked toward him. “Bad male. You buy Killer collar now. You pay. Price go up.” She sniffed. “You buy shiny tag with Killer’s name on and collar.”

  Blatant blackmail. “We’ll discuss it later. Where are the men?”

  Killer bounded to the open door and planted all four feet in the middle of the doorway as if daring Alex to get past her. “We talk deal now.”

  A Border collie appeared behind Killer and ran his muzzle across her flanks. “What’s wrong, honey?”

  “He talks,” Lily muttered. “Why does nothing surprise me anymore?”

  Alex propped his butt against the nearby table and folded his arms across his broad chest. “Well, that’s fine and dandy! You have the gall to judge me. I’d like to know exactly what you’ve been up to.” His gaze slid over the black-and-white dog that cuddled up to Killer. That didn’t look casual to him.

  “None of your business,” Killer yapped, her nose shooting upward with pure attitude.

  “Honey, two men are heading this way. Maybe talk terms later? I’ll help.” The Border collie eyed Alex. “Will bite for you.”

  “Alex, you can’t go outside like that. You’ll cause a riot.” Lily’s gaze wandered his chest then settled lower to concentrate on his swollen member. “Or a heart attack. Better put on some clothes.”

  Alex headed for the master bedroom but halted halfway up the stairs. “Your bag’s ringing.” With his luck it would be Lily’s family. That was all he bloody wanted. Add Janaya and Luke to the Earth recipe and things could become a mite tricky.

  “My phone is in my bag. I thought the ba
ttery would have run out by now since I forgot to charge it before we left.”

  Alex groaned. Doom pressed down on his shoulders. No doubt, Hinekiri and Janaya had something to do with the phone’s amazing battery life.

  Lily hurried up the stairs after him. Alex’s heart pumped in double-quick time. The scent of her arousal drifted to him along with the lemon-grove perfume from the shower gel. He turned to watch her sashay toward him. The subtle sway of her hips ratcheted up his interest. He wanted to make sweet love to her for the rest of the day.

  But it wasn’t going to happen. Not yet. He grabbed his jeans and stepped into them. “I’ll go with Killer to check out the men while you take the call.” Alex thrust his arms into a crumpled denim shirt then strode across the room to plant a swift kiss on her lips before hurrying down the stairs.

  Seconds later, Lily heard the clatter of Killer’s nails on the floor and the slam of the door. By the time she located her bag the ringing had stopped. Sudden nausea darted up her throat. Lily sank onto the rumpled bed and took a cautious breath. She’d obviously eaten something that didn’t agree with her. Her stomach danced uneasily, informing her of the fact. Or it could merely be nerves.

  Alex or Alexandre. His real name sounded exotic. He made all the right noises, made love to her sweetly, telling her repeatedly how much he cared for her. But caring wasn’t the same as love.

  Lily balked at jumping blindly. This time she intended to enter a relationship with her eyes open. Especially when the man looked like Alex. Gut instinct told her there was more to his story. While he hadn’t exactly lied, he hadn’t told the truth. Secrets. Lily hated them with a passion.

  The ringing of the phone interrupted her unhappy thoughts. She answered, holding the phone to her ear. “Hello? Janaya. How are you? Where are you?”

  “We’ve finished fishing and thought we’d come to pick up Killer. Where are you at the moment?”

  “We’re in Nelson, but we are heading to Kaikoura to go whale watching. You could meet us there.”

  “Sounds good. Can we go watching the creatures with you?”

  The perfect opportunity to ask a few questions. “I’d like that.” Perhaps she’d ask a few now. If Janaya didn’t know the answers she could find out for Lily and let her know when they met in Kaikoura. “Janaya, have you heard of Alexandre Bellangere?” Lily picked a piece of lint off her robe while she waited for the important answer.