by Amy Redwood
When I finally, thankfully, stopped shaking, they still held me in their arms.
Too sated for words, the temptation of sleep was luring me, but instead of giving in, I forced myself to stay awake, feeling selfish for my demand of the dual attention I’d received.
Resting my cheek against Garrett’s chest, I listened to the drum of his heart. It was a steady beat, but the ragged scar on his chest felt terrible against my skin.
“Garrett,” I said, keeping my cheek pressed close to his chest, “when you said Slyte would do anything I demand, was that the truth?”
“Yes, but he isn’t stupid. Once I told him how the drink affected you, you were perfectly safe with him.”
“So you just wanted to stay with me?”
“You figured that one out,” he said, his chest vibrating with a chuckle. “That’s a good sign. Well, I didn’t like the idea of you alone with him. Forgive me?”
I was quiet, not because of his question, but because I was dead sure that my libido wasn’t out of control anymore. Slyte moved behind me, pressing a kiss against the nape of my neck, but it was just that, a kiss. It didn’t set my heart racing. I felt relaxed and sticky yet exhausted—a hot shower sounded more tempting than another round of sex. And I could juggle several thoughts at once in my head. And I’d just figured out what had troubled me since he’d told me why he’d left me that note.
“For how long have you been on Dezra waiting for your ship to be repaired?”
There was a quickening to his heartbeat, I could clearly hear it.
“After this night, four days.”
Four. And the device had to be replaced after three days. It might already be affecting him. His life depended on getting off Dezra. And he knew I had the means to help him. But he couldn’t ask, knowing that he’d wronged me in the past. Knowing I might even hate him.
“You need my ship,” I said, curiously relieved that I’d finally figured out what he wanted from me. “You need my ride.”
“Yes,” he said dryly. “It crossed my mind.”
How was I to know that he hadn’t used our chance meeting to his advantage? How was I to know that he hadn’t fooled me? Maybe he had used my defenselessness to get close to me again, to make me believe he still loved me. To make me fall in love with him again.
He would have known that I’d figure out that his life was in danger—he’d given me all the clues, the timeline, the story about how the device would kill him. He’d known I would put two and two together. He knew I wasn’t stupid—but lovesick.
What kind of woman wouldn’t want to save the man she loved? But it would mean trusting him with my most prized possession—my space glider. It was my life, my income, my means to support myself. How was I to know that he wouldn’t steal my ship, along with my heart, and never come back again?
“How am I to trust you?”
“I promise, I’ll be back in time for your friend’s wedding. But I’d understand why you wouldn’t give me a second chance.”
A second chance. My throat grew tighter. He was so close, his scent filling my senses, the warmth of his skin, his cock still inside my pussy. Hadn’t he shown me that he loved me when he’d given in to my wish to share with another man? Had his apprehension been real, his jealousy, his love? Or was I just his ticket to get off Dezra?
“What am I supposed to do?” Though, if I were honest with myself, I already knew the answer.
* * * * *
Two days later
How big a fool was I?
After I’d told Garrett the ship’s access codes, he’d whispered promises back, his face so open, so honest. When he had finally slipped out of the bed and left, I’d wondered how many times I’d watched him convince people into giving him what he wanted, wearing the same honest and open expression. Too many times to count. Refusing to cry, I’d curled into Slyte’s warm embrace and slept ’til morning broke. We shared breakfast, but that was where our intimacy had ended. I was free of the drink’s effect and nothing remained but the memory of the carnal night with both men.
Yesterday, I’d seen Jana from afar but hadn’t talked to her. Even though I could use a friend, I knew better than to trouble a happy bride with my sappy story of heartbreak and tears. I wouldn’t ruin her wedding with my worries. I spent the evening at Slyte’s side, but the Dezrian hadn’t even tried to kiss me, as if he was aware that my heart ached for Garrett, which, come to think of it, Slyte most certainly knew.
Garrett hadn’t returned. Yet. And I was struck with loneliness, longing and a sense of doom that he wouldn’t keep his word.
And today was Jana’s official wedding ceremony.
I’d spent the morning in my own quarters, making myself ready for Jana’s big day. I half hoped to find Garrett in my rooms. Then later, I’d hoped to spot him among the waiting wedding guests.
But there was no sign of him anywhere and nothing could chase away the bitter taste in my mouth that he’d fooled me.
The wedding ceremony started, even though there wasn’t a glimpse of Jana or her groom yet. Speech after important-sounding speech—I didn’t understand a word but was sure it was significant—while music was being played in the background. I had no idea how anyone could comprehend a word with the music playing and guests chattering. Looked as if Dezrians were big on multitasking their senses.
It also looked as though I would have to attend the ceremony standing up. The formal room wasn’t furnished with seats. But Slyte was at my side, holding my hand. I shot a glance at him, squeezed his hand. He felt like a friend, someone to rely on instead of a lover to desire. Anyway, I was glad I wasn’t attending Jana’s wedding alone. For a second, I envied my friend, who was so sure of her love that she’d given up her life on Earth to follow her fiancé to his home planet.
Not that I regretted the night with both men. But my ship…giving Garrett my ship was something altogether different.
Had I learned nothing?
I almost crushed Slyte’s hand when I sensed someone stepping behind me, a set of arms wrapping around my middle. I caught Slyte’s gaze, who gave me a wink before he let go of my hand, giving me space. I rose up to my toes, gave Slyte a quick kiss on his cheek, thanking him for, I guess, everything.
“Have I missed anything?” Garrett whispered, beard stubble on his chin brushing against my neck as he placed a kiss there. “Wedding hasn’t started yet?”
I shook my head, my throat too tight to speak.
“Told you I’d be back in time.”
Yes, he had, I thought, my knees weak. He’d also told me that he loved me. I closed my eyes, my mouth curling up to a stupid grin. “I’m looking for a new business partner,” I said. “I can tell you’d be the perfect guy for the job. Strictly professional, of course.” I leaned against his chest. “What do you think?”
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Garrett said, pulling me around to face him. I expected a kiss, but instead he pressed a glass into my hands. “Let’s drink to second chances.”
I curled my fingers around the slender, long-stemmed flute. “That better not be what I think it is.”
“Only one way to find out, Chiara,” he said, bringing his glass against mine in a toast. “You trust me?”
I searched his face, the gold-flecked dark eyes, his wicked grin. Damn, yes, I trusted him. “To second chances,” I said and knocked back my drink.
About the Author
Amy Redwood lives in Vancouver, Canada. This wasn’t always the case. She grew up in Europe, moved to New Zealand and then explored China before settling down on the west coast of Canada. She likes nothing better than dark chocolate, autumn rain and curling up on the couch reading a great story. But what she loves is writing about smart heroines and sexy heroes enjoying hot nights, hotter days and a happily ever after. After all, nothing beats a happy end.
Amy welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Amy Redwood
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His She-Wolf
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Print books by Amy Redwood
Sinful Intentions
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