Fiery Match

by Tierney O’Malley

  Nikka watched Cor talk to the elderly couple. She liked the way he laughed. As if that was a habit, too.

  He was undeniably charming. When the couple left him, he started scribbling something. Then he stood up. Hands in his pockets, he looked to his left and then to his right.

  Oh, dear. He’s crossing the street.

  She watched with her heart in her throat. Cor’s stride was purposeful.

  Dear me. He’s coming this way.

  Quickly, she busied herself. She pulled different flowers from different buckets. She stood behind the counter and started making a bouquet that her customer ordered earlier. She knew he was coming, but still, the doorbell startled her. Goodness. She needed to calm down.

  “Hello.”

  Holy smokes! Even his voice sounded so so…sexy and deep as if he was saying hello to a lover after a long fiery lovemaking. Stop, brain! Taking a deep breath, she met his dark green eyes with her boring pale blue eyes.

  Her breath caught in her throat.

  From afar, he looked so enigmatic. This close, he was even more handsome. She could see the dark brown highlights on his blond hair, strong jaws, and boy, he smelled of cologne. Subtle scent, but it was there.

  “Hello. What can I do for you?”

  “Nice question.” Cor’s brows arched mischievously. She could almost hear his thoughts. All naughty and had nothing to do with flowers.

  “Are you looking for a single rose, bouquet, corsage, or just checking the quality of my flowers?”

  “I’m looking for you.”

  Cor stared at her so openly it was borderline rude. Still, if she were to be honest with herself, she could stare at him forever and not get tired of it. Now, that was rude. “I’m here. So how can I help?”

  Chapter Three

  “Would you really help if I tell you what I need? Or is your offer actually empty? Just a bullshit question you ask everyone who comes in here.”

  Nikka looked surprised, her mouth opened and closed. “What?”

  “I said—”

  “I heard you the first time.”

  “So are you?”

  “Am I what?”

  “Bullshitting.”

  “No,” she huffed indignantly.

  Nikka’s deep frown made him realize he was doing this wrong again. Cor raked his hair back with his fingers. Son of a bitch. He’d never been good in flowery speeches.

  If he wanted to be as successful as Kyr, he’d better not screw this up. “I started off the wrong foot when I first walked in here. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “I want a do-over.”

  “A do-over.”

  Cor breathed a little easier when the corner of Nikka’s lips turned up. “Try again.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’m Cor of Rhyn.”

  “Corofryn? What an unusual name.”

  Despite her butchering his name, he smiled. “Cor. My name is Cor. I’m from Rhyn.”

  Nikka’s smile took his breath away. Her face brightened, sky blue eyes round, and her curved mouth…tempting.

  “I’m Nikka McLeary, a local. Born and raised here in Seattle and owner of this shop.”

  “Nice to meet you, Nikka.” Cor looked around the shop. It was like being in the garden of flowers of different colors. Like my mother’s garden. He looked down and frowned at his boots. This was no time to think about what he had lost.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah. You seem to be happy selling flowers.”

  “I am. I’m a hole in the wall, but people are buying. I’m not totally invisible.”

  He nodded. Here we go. Now would be the perfect time to tell her about Rhyn and himself. He prayed to his gods that Nikka would accept. The Orkinians annihilated his planet. A number of Rhynians were chosen to hold their ground, trained to destroy the fucking Orkinians once and for all. He wanted to do that—to hold a weapon again and defend his planet. As soon as his task here was over, he’d go back.

  He’d seen envy and angry looks, even from his friends, directed his way and his brothers. He’d heard them say they were chosen to do this simple task because of their father’s rank. Some even said that he and his brothers were weak and not battle ready, throwing insults his way. It angered him. He argued with his father to keep him on Rhyn, but he wouldn’t budge. If he failed to do this mission, he wouldn’t have a face to show back to his planet. He doubted he could live with that kind of shame attached to him.

  Fuck, he’d make Nikka see how important she would be, for him and for his planet.

  “You don’t have to work ten hours here everyday, Nikka. I can help you.” Did that question come out right?

  “I’m getting by. Thank you, though.”

  “I have money. Name the amount you need to expand, open another shop, and hire staff.”

  “Thanks for the offer, but I’d rather keep my debt below five hundred dollars.”

  “You don’t have to pay me back. Consider my offer a gift.”

  Nikka smiled, shaking her head. “You know, I should be offended by your offer. But, since it is obvious that you didn’t go to the School of Picking Up Women, I’ll let this insult slide.”

  “Since when did giving a woman a gift become an insult? My brother Kyr offered Jade money. Now, they are married.”

  “Is that what you expected in return?”

  Cor rubbed his face with his hands. He was seriously fucking this up. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I lack in social graces.”

  “So what made you cross the street today?”

  “You,” he said casually with hopes that she wouldn’t be alarmed.

  “Me? But you’ve known I’m here. You stared at my shop all day, but you didn’t come in until now. Got tired of watching me?”

  “I will never tire watching you, at’vi.”

  “You know that’s creepy, right?”

  “My sister-in-law said…never mind.”

  “Okay. If you need something for your sweetheart other than flowers, I have a few plants in the back, and greeting cards.”

  “I don’t have a sweetheart. But, mademoiselle…” He put his left hand behind his back and brought his right hand to his waist. With a smile on his face, he kept his gaze on Nikka, then bowed. “I’m hoping to have one right now.”

  Nikka laughed. “Oh, dear. Well, you came to the wrong place, Sir Cor. I don’t sell sweethearts.” Her eyes grew openly amused.

  Sense of humor. He loved that. Relieved that she didn’t rebuff him, he decided to grab the chance. “At’vi, I’ve been watching you for weeks because—”

  “You’re not IRS, are you? Because, buddy, you got nothing. I am a good taxpayer.”

  Cor laughed. She had spunk. Oh, damn. He liked her a lot. “Don’t worry. I’m not slapping you with IRS forms.”

  Nikka pretended to wipe her forehead with the back of her hand. “Whew! What a relief. So, I already told you I don’t sell sweethearts here. How else can I help?”

  Cor thought about Jade’s advice. He walked toward the bucket filled with long stems with white bell flowers. They remind him of the flowers that grew in the field behind their house. Here they called this flower Lily of the Valley. He pulled a stem, then walked back toward the counter, and handed it to Nikka.

  “Nice choice.”

  “There’s more.”

  “Okay.”

  He pulled the napkin from his back pocket. This had better work. “Nikka, I…”

  “Yes?”

  He unfolded the napkin and stared at the letters. His heart pumped so fast, he feared if it went any faster, he would pass out. Damn. That would be humiliating.

  “Cor?”

  “Nikka,” he began to read. “The moment I saw you, I knew, that my long years of searching are over.” He took another deep breath and met Nikka’s gaze. “No other woman ever made me yearn to see her until you. I knew you were the one I’ve been looking for. The
thought of you is enough to make my heart double its beat. The sun shines brighter, and changes the color of my skin. Yeah, it must be you who could make my dreams come true.” He tucked the napkin back in his pocket, then stared at Nikka.

  She had that look of shock on her face. She was also opening and closing her mouth like a fish out of water. “I-I don’t even know what to say. I guess, thank you for the wonderful poem. Oh, gosh.”

  If he were to guess, he’d say he was the first to write a poem for her. “You asked what I found out after watching you. I found out that two souls from two different planets could meet with the hands of fate. I found you for a reason. You are my match.”

  “Match? You figured that out just by watching me?”

  “I can prove it.”

  Nikka sighed. “May I see the napkin?”

  “Why?”

  “I want to see it.”

  “It’s written in a different—”

  Nikka snatched the napkin from his hand.

  He groaned.

  She laughed while unfolding the napkin. “I saw you scribble something. I just want…what is this?”

  “My language.”

  “What do you mean your language? This writing looks some kind of ancient letters.”

  “It is.”

  “You write ancient language?”

  “You could say that.”

  Nikka turned the napkin clockwise, frowned at it, and then turned it again. “Are you an archeologist or professor of ancient history?”

  He took the paper napkin and handed it back to her the right way. “No. I flunked history in college and not interested in archeology. Nikka. Please listen.”

  “Read this again.”

  “Again?”

  “Yes.”

  Cor read the letter word for word. When he was done, he folded the paper and was about to tuck in back in his pocket but Nikka took it again.

  “You wrote this?”

  “I could translate it into your language if you want.”

  “What country did you say you came from?”

  “Not country, baby. Rhyn is a planet.”

  “Wait.” Nikka folded the napkin and then tucked it in her apron’s pocket. “Let’s back up a bit. What do you mean planet?”

  Here we go. “I’m an alien and Rhyn is my planet. I’ve been here on Earth for two years searching. You have no idea how many women—”

  Nikka shook her head. “You know, I wouldn’t take you for a comedian—some kind of a soldier, maybe. Did you, perhaps, fight in Iraq or Afghanistan, and lost it? You can tell me. I won’t judge.”

  “I am a soldier but not for Iraq or Afghanistan. I fought for Rhyn. And I haven’t lost it. I may sound like it, though.”

  “Alright, Cor. You wanted to make up for your botched up, initial intro and you are doing fine. You don’t have to go overboard and go weird on me. Now, you can browse. Walk around the store and see if you find anything you like. I hope you’re not allergic to flowers. I’ve had to call nine-one-one on a guy before. He couldn’t breathe in here. Poor thing turned purple. Good thing the Fire Department is only five minutes away from here.”

  Kyr warned him that telling humans who he was would make him sound crazy. He could use his power to prove himself, but he might only scare Nikka. Besides, it wasn’t safe to do it. Orkins could be anywhere and might sense his power. Only if necessary and life was at stake would he use his power.

  Right now, though, it was tempting. He raked his hair with his fingers. Damn fuck. He’d been waiting for this time to come. Now that it finally happened, he felt fucking stupid. He didn’t even know what to say right now. Worse, his skin tingled. Nikka’s nearness aroused him. If he weren’t careful, he’d turn green in front of her before he could explain everything about him. That would be bad.

  “At’vi, I know I sound mental to you, but I wouldn’t joke about who I am. If you’d give me a chance, I’ll explain everything. Why I’m here. How I could help you and why I believe you are my match. Just let me—”

  “Stop.” Nikka let out a loud sigh. “Cor, I’ll be honest. When I noticed you watching my store for days, I felt weird. My friend, Samuel, said you decided to watch me just like a hawk because I gave you cold shoulders after you asked me out. Today, when you didn’t show up at the usual time, I began to wonder—”

  “Wonder?”

  “Worry. That something might have had happened. You see, you pretty much set up a pattern so—”

  “You worry about me?” Cor saw a glimpse of hope. He grinned. Jade could be right.

  “Don’t make this more than what it is. Now, like I said, I worry about you, but don’t make me regret it. You seem to be a nice guy and thank you for thinking that I’m your match, but don’t think I’m stupid to believe you are an alien.”

  “No, at’vi.” He took a step closer to her, but she stepped back. “Damn it.” He would probably regret this, but what the hell. “Watch, at’vi.” He lifted his hand, palm facing out, and, one by one, the flowers inside the store started blooming.

  “Oh, my God! What’s happening with my flowers? They are not supposed to bloom.”

  “They’re not?” He quickly used his powers to make the flowers back to how they were.

  “Holy goat! Did that really happen? Cor, please tell me you didn’t make the flowers…of course, you didn’t. Did you?”

  “I can do more, but it’s not safe. At’vi, please.”

  “Stop calling me at’vi. What is that supposed to mean anyway.”

  “Baby. Term of endearment.”

  “Baby? You know I would’ve probably liked that if something weird didn’t just happen here.” She waved her hand. “The flowers bloom! I know I didn’t just imagine that. God, maybe I did. Did I?”

  “No, you didn’t. Can we talk somewhere? I’ll tell you everything.” He took a step forward.

  “Stop.”

  Cor did. Damn.

  “I won’t hesitate to use my scissors on you, Cor, because you’re freaking me out.”

  Did she think he would hurt her? Fuck. He would rather cut his own hand than let anything bad happen to her. “There is nothing to be afraid of.”

  “No? You just made my flowers bloom! Using your hand!”

  “I thought flowers are supposed to bloom.”

  “Not until after the customers buy them and put them in their vases.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “You said you could do more. Like what? Turn me into a turnip?”

  He thought to tease her by giving her an evil smile.

  “Cor, don’t you dare.”

  “I wouldn’t, at’vi. You’re too pretty to become a turnip. Maybe a carrot?”

  “Not funny! Okay this is weird. If you’re not buying anything, I think you should go.”

  Damn. Blowing up Orkins’ heads was far easier than this. “Nikka, I am here on a mission.”

  “What mission?”

  “To keep my race from extinction.”

  “Extinction? Ah, I see. You’re supposed to be a giant ant, right? Pretending to be human?”

  Cor couldn’t help but smile at her comment. “Don’t know about that. What you see is who I am. We all look like this in Rhyn.”

  “There’s more who look like you.”

  “My brothers kind of look like me.”

  “Oh, dear.”

  “Why?”

  Nikka’s cheeks turned the color of the dark pink roses on the vase beside her. “Nothing.”

  Cor’s brow shot up. According to Jade, nothing meant something to a woman.

  “You’re not going to leave, are you?”

  “No.”

  Nikka’s brows furrowed. “You said I made your sun shine brighter and your color change. What do you mean by that?”

  Alright, Cor. A chance. Grab it by the throat. “With my sun brighter? Literally. With my color changing?” He rounded the counter and took a couple steps clo
ser to Nikka. “I’d rather that I show you.” Before she could move away, he touched her face.

  Like a spilled wine on a white tablecloth, tint of green quickly spread from the tip of his fingers, arms, and face. Even without seeing it, he knew his whole body had turned green.

  “Oh, my God. What’s happening to you?”

  To Cor, Nikka looked nervous. She kept moistening her lips with the tip of her tongue. Oh, how he wanted to catch that pink tongue with his lips and suck her hard.

  “This happens because of you, at’vi. No one else can make me change like this.”

  “Should making you turn green be a compliment? Oh, my God, Cor, you’re face!” Nikka’s hand raised, but withdrew right away when she was inches away from his cheek.

  “I’m your match, Nikka,” he breathed the words. “No other woman could do this to me.”

  “Strange.” She touched his face.

  Cor hissed at the sweet painful feeling that ran from deep in his gut, traveling to his cock. He’d waited for this. To get this close to Nikka. Now, he couldn’t believe that it was finally happening.

  “Cor, is this some kind of a magic?”

  “No.”

  “Affliction?”

  Cor smiled. “No. A physical reaction.”

  “Men in Rhyn change color if they’re near the woman they are attracted to. Is that right?”

  “Right. I am attracted to you, Nikka. Since the day I saw you.”

  “You’re crazy. I’m attracted to Christian Bale, but I don’t turn green, and I highly doubt he’s my match.”

  “Who?”

  “Batman.”

  “And who’s crazy?”

  “Hey, don’t be a smartass.”

  “I know this is too much to take in, but if we could sit—” Cor’s arm hair stood on ends. Through his peripheral vision, he saw tall figures walking by slowly in front of the store. His heart doubled its beat. He looked at the window. Sure enough, two really pale men wearing dark sunglasses were there. One stopped and peered closer.

  Son of a bitch. He’d know those fucking bitches anywhere. The Orkinians. They have pale skin, grey eyes, barely visible eyebrows, and overly wide mouths that reminded him of a shark. They were fuck-ugly.