Last Kiss Goodnight

favorite things in the whole world. He was even better than chocolate!

She no longer feared his temper. After all, she’d angered him several times, but not once had he struck her. She’d even hit him, but instead of raging, he’d showed her how to hit him harder.

He was pragmatic and morose, but he was also kind and caring. And he had an unexpected sense of humor, one she didn’t think he’d known about. One she’d managed to bring to the surface, surprising them both. He’d even offered her a home and a job, and maybe he’d done it out of pity, maybe he’d done it to keep her from changing her mind about freeing him, but still he’d done it. He was such a good man.

She shouldn’t have rejected him so forcefully, shouldn’t have hurt his feelings, but when the sudden burst of joy his offer had brought had faded, new fears had surfaced. What if she moved in, he got tired of her, and kicked her out? Or what if he got tired of her, let her stay, and brought a girlfriend home?

Vika’s hands curled into tight little fists at just the idea of Solo pressing those soft lips onto another woman’s mouth.

Why did she feel this way? No matter how much she wanted him, no matter how possessive she realized she was, she couldn’t allow herself to fall into a relationship already doomed to fail. Yes, they seemed to have gotten past the circumstances that had brought them together. Yes, she loved spending time with him. But what about the future? How was she supposed to make him happy outside the circus?

It would be better for her to stick with her current plan. She would buy a new ID for herself, find the cuff key, free the otherworlders once and for all, and cut her ties with the circus. And if not the ID, then the home in New Colorado. No one would ever be able to kick her off her own land, or escort the woman who’d won Solo’s heart to her door.

A hand on her shoulder, tugging her from her mind.

“Are you okay?” Solo asked, crouching beside her, his features tight with concern.

Oddly enough, she could truthfully say, “Yes. Why?”

“Look at yourself.”

She did. Her clothes were a little dirty, a little wet. Nothing was out of place, though she was trembling from the chill.

The chill. Sweet mercy, but the temperature had taken a nosedive. She realized she’d wrapped her arms around her middle, trying to huddle into herself for warmth. “C-cold,” she said, teeth chattering now that reality had made itself known.

Solo, who wore nothing more than the loincloth, wound their only blanket around her shoulders and tugged her against his chest.

His heart drummed against her shoulder, soothing her. She could have stayed in his arms forever—which was exactly why she had to pull away from him. And she would . . . after just a minute more . . . no, two minutes more . . . three . . . he was hot, a living furnace, and . . . and . . . and he had kissed her just a little while ago, and she still craved another, loooonger, deeeeper one.

He was the first man to ever be willing to risk her father’s wrath, just to be with her. Matas had often claimed to want her, yes, and had even told her father they had been together, but Matas had never tried anything. Solo, though . . . he must really want her, because even though Jecis controlled his fate, he had pressed his lips against hers with such gentleness, as if she were precious, perhaps breakable, only to lift and study her expression before going back for another taste. A far more intense taste.

The memory alone caused her skin to prickle with longing, her insides to ache with need. Oh, how she ached.

Can’t think about Solo’s kisses right now. Any moment she would have to face her father. The fog would vanish and Jecis would look at the monitor inside his trailer and realize he was no longer inside the world between worlds, and he would emerge. She couldn’t be found enjoying her punishment or she and Solo would be given another.

“They can’t see us together like this,” she said, lifting her head and scooting away from him.

He dropped his arm, nodded. She frowned at him. His face was an emotionless mask, giving none of his thoughts away. And yet, he suddenly radiated a frigidness that far surpassed what wafted from the mountains.

A sigh left her as understanding crested. He’d taken her words and action as a rejection.

“Solo,” she said.

He pushed to his feet, miles of bronzed skin coming into view. If she was cold, he had to be closing in on frostbite. Standing, she unwound the blanket and thrust the material in his direction.

“Here,” she said.

“No.” He shook his head, adamant. “You keep it.”

She couldn’t hear his tone, but the vibration of his words packed a powerful punch. He must have been throwing each one like a baseball.

“Listen, you. I moved away from you because my father will erupt if he sees your hands on me, and I won’t allow another whipping.” After everything Solo had done for her, she wouldn’t be able to bear the guilt.

That failed to relax him. “Just so you know, I’m not afraid of him. But don’t worry. I understand. You and I can be friends in private, when you need my help, but we have to stay mere acquaintances in public. Right?”

Oh, that burned! “You need to get over yourself and stop the tantrum right now.”

His gaze narrowed on her.

“Let’s gather all the poker chips, all right?”

He blinked, a different reaction than she’d expected. “Poker chips? Do you mean we should put our cards on the table?”

“No, I don’t mean we should put our cards on the table! A new game cannot start until all the chips are off the table.” Why did he always question her about this stuff? “I’m trying to end your bad mood and start a good one, so help me out and listen.”

“Very well.” He pressed his lips together, as if to stop himself from . . . scowling? Laughing?

Whatever! “Here goes. I don’t know you outside of this messed-up situation, and I certainly don’t know how to handle whatever’s happening between us. After we’ve ditched the circus, and if you haven’t ditched me, and if you still want me, and if you don’t want someone else, ask me to work for you and my answer might be different.” Might be, but probably wouldn’t be. Not that she’d tell him that. “And I’m not embarrassed to be with you. Though I should be! You’re so foolish! I told you already, but I’ll tell you again. I won’t have you tortured simply because I like you. Why can’t you get that through your head?”

The blinking started up again, though his eyes were brightening. “You like me and hope to protect me.”

Finally! He understood. “Yes. I know staying away isn’t much, but it’s all I can do for you right now. Foolish man,” she muttered.

He looked so surprised, she knew not many people had dared to call him such an irreverent name, and that she had just proved how comfortable she’d become with him. Otherwise she wouldn’t have risked his increased ire when he clearly had no fear of her father.

Solo pondered her words for a moment, the light in those ocean blues still brightening, brightening. “If you aren’t careful, Miss Vika,” he said, “I won’t ever be able to let you go.”

She . . . had no idea how to respond. Keep her forever? Her silly mind was shouting, Yes, please.

Despite everything.

I have returned.

The familiar voice whispered through her mind, and she whipped to the right to confront the speaker. Her initial torrent of alarm subsided when she saw a tiny version of the dark-haired X perched on her shoulder. He appeared younger than before, stronger.

But never before had she seen this clearly into that other realm—while she was in another realm—and she wasn’t sure what to think.

When your father comes, and he will, do whatever is necessary to escape the cage with Solo. His mouth wasn’t moving, and yet his words reverberated inside her head. You need to leave. Now.

Liar! said Dr. E, causing her to swing to the left. He, too, was now a tiny version of himself. He appeared older than before, weaker. You know Solo will be captured. And if you’re with