It was Tair’s turn to lift an eyebrow. “She is hurting, thinking the worst. Do you not care?”
Liken’s glare would have knocked a lesser man than Tair from his chair. “Shebringspain to herself with her own distrust. I will explain later.”
Tair knew his brother enough to know the real hurt underneath that anger. He said quietly, “I think your own wounds prevent you from seeking to heal hers.”
The accusation was pure truth and Liken couldn’t deny it. “True enough. I am angry. She should have asked for an explanation instead of assuming the worst.”
Tair laughed. His voice rang with skepticism, “As you would have done if you had found her kissing an unknown male?”
Liken felt instant rage at the mere thought. “I would not have left without demanding answers.”
Tair made a mock sound of sudden discovery and said, “Ahhhh. So you were doubly wounded. That dignified exit was lowering, was it?”
Liken looked and sounded defeated as he said, “She was so controlled. No woman who loves a man could have acted in that manner.”
Tair’s face was sympathetic, but his eyes were amused. “Why would you care? She does not have to love you to stay and be pledged. She is but a woman.”
Liken’s voice was just short of a yell. “I love her. Are you satisfied? Will you cease this endless prodding?”
She was beautiful, and frustrating, and intelligent, and stupid. She made him angry, she made him laugh, and she made him ache with sweet pleasure. She was perfect and riddled with faults and everything in between. He would love her until his dying breath, and probably beyond it. It infuriated him. She infuriated him.
Tair laughed, not unkindly. “At last. I was about to lose all hope for you, brother. Now, let us see if we can get past those wounds to the truth. Why would she hurt so much if she had no love for you?”
The words pierced Liken’s emotion and cleared his mind. “Why, indeed?” His heart lifted. She had to love him to react so strongly.
He felt another wave of pain at the thought of her distrust. “She may love me, but she does not trust me. I think she does not even trust herself.”
Tair sighed. “True enough. I am out of questions and answers, brother. Would you like me to find her and bring her to you?” As their link, he was responsible for her protection, but volunteering was really more of an impulse to help.
Liken shook his head. “No. It seems now I am the one who must sort his thoughts. She will come home when she is ready. She is much stronger and more passionate than she thinks. She will demand answers. I have no doubt. Would you just watch over her until then? Make sure she is alright?”
“Of course,” Tair replied. Hehated to think that Liken and Sharon might not work their problems out. They were perfect for each other, even if they didn’t seem to understand it yet.He asked, “And will your answers persuade her to stay? Will she trust you?”
Liken stared at his brother. “I guess that is one question only time will answer.” At the moment, the thought was not encouraging.
Chapter 16
Sharon sat under the tree for quite some time. Several hours passed as thoughts swirled like a storm in her head. Eventually, the pain settled like an aching weight in her chest but her mind had cleared somewhat. She couldn’t reconcile Liken lying to her and making love with another woman while committed to her. He had been honest with her in the past, although not always forthright. She would have bet her life that he was a faithful, honorable man. In a way, she had bet her life. Her new life.
It didn’t make sense. Fury filled her. Since she’d stepped onto this planet, a lot of things hadn’t made sense. It had been one surprise after another. She had found herself and risked everything and been crushed in the end. Well, she could crawl back into her shell and never come out. Or she could get back up, and face him and demand a few answers. If she turned messy, and emotional, and ugly, then he would just have to deal with it. He had broken her heart, but she would survive it.
She wasn’t going back to the person she had been before him. She wasn’t running from anyone or anything ever again. Being cautious and reasonable might produce a safe and comfortable life, but she wanted more than safety. She deserved more. And she would have it. Even without Liken.
Her eyes focused on her surroundings for the first time. She recognized where she was and felt a quick pang of relief that she was in the park and could find her way home. She stood up. Tair stepped out from the shadows of a huge tree to her right. She was startled. “How long have been there?”
He shrugged in response. His face was a remote mask. “I will escort you home.”
“I don’t need an escort.” Her voice was sharper than she meant it to be. “I know the way.”
He stared at her with a coolness that was chilling. “Nonetheless, I will walk with you.”
She had no idea what he was thinking or feeling. He seemed distant and unapproachable. Now it was her turn to shrug. “Fine.”
They turned and began walking. When he remained silent beside her, she angled her head up at him and frowned. She was the injured party here. “What’s your problem?”
Again, he leveled her with that chilling gaze. He remained silent. She said coolly, “Whatever.” She would deal with Tair after she dealt with Liken. She was saving all her energy for the confrontation with Liken.
They walked in silence until they reached the pathway to the house. As they approached the doorway, Tair paused and put a hand on her arm. She stopped and turned to face him with a questioning glance. He searched her face and then said with cool precision, “You never greeted me. You will do so now.”
“What?” She was totally confused.
He smiled grimly. “I am your link. You never greeted me, Sharon.”
Her eyes widened in response and her mouth fell open a little in surprise. He wanted her to kiss him? Now?
His mouth came down on hers ruthlessly before she had a chance to respond. He thrust his tongue past her parted lips and explored her mouth like he owned it. Her hands came to his chest to reflexively push him away. He merely wrapped his arms around her tightly and continued the punishing kiss.
She realized that her heart hadn’t been carved out of her chest. It was beating frantically. She could feel treacherous arousal begin to spread through her body. Without conscious thought, her lips and tongue began a dance of response. She wanted him, but only in a physical sense. She didn’t love him. He wasn’t Liken. Just the thought of Liken and the pain in her chest ached like a dull tooth. The kiss gentled, and finally, he lifted his head. “You will remember this.”
She was totally confused again. “What?” Did he mean remember him after she left for Earth?
His smile was wicked and the warmth had come back into his eyes.This was the Tair she remembered well, not the cold, cruel man from the eatery.“Goodbye, Sharon.” He walked away from her in the direction of town.
Sharon stood there, feeling perplexed. Mentally throwing up her hands, she turned and walked to the front door. She hit the button and it slipped open in immediate response. She braced herself and walked in.
Walking into the living room, she saw Liken casually sitting on the sofa. He looked up at her and raised an eyebrow as she strode to the center of the room. He didn’t look upset. He looked perfectly calm.
How could he look so normal when she was dying inside? It was the last insult to her battered heart. Her voice could have cut glass. “I am going to discuss this morning with you. While we do it, you are keeping your hands to yourself. When we’re done here, you’re packing a few things and staying somewhere else. With Tair or with your girlfriend, I really don’t care. But, you are not touching me again. On the twenty-first, we’ll go back and file incompatible. I deserve better than a faithless liar.”
His face never changed. They might have been discussing the weather. It pushed her fury up a notch.
With infuriating calm, he said, “You want to discuss this morning. What is there to say?”
His voice was soft, so even-tempered, and she could not feel a trace of emotion coming from him.She could feel the dam holding her temper spring several leaks. “I’m your pactmate. How could you be with someone else? You may not love me, but you should have had enough respect for me to…”
