She glanced Kristor’s way. He studied her. “Are we ready to leave?” she asked with false cheerfulness.
They took Neil’s car to the restaurant so that left Ria and Kristor in the back. Her and Kristor’s first real date, and Ria realized she was a little nervous. The last time she’d been with Kristor, he’d given her an ultimatum—and her answer was still no, she wouldn’t leave with him.
The only reason she had gotten them together was because they liked each other, and that was the only reason. Shintara was only trying to get her to shift into a hawk. Ria wasn’t ready.
Kristor reached across the seat and squeezed her hand. “Tonight we won’t think about anything except enjoying each other’s company.”
Had he read her mind? Heard her conversation with Shintara? No, of course, he hadn’t.
He lightly rubbed his thumb over the palm of her hand. Her body tingled and she found herself wanting more. The way he looked at her, she kind of thought he might, too. It would be difficult for her when he left. No man had ever made her feel the way Kristor did.
They arrived at the restaurant, and after they went inside, and the waitress seated them, Neil talked the girls into trying an Italian margarita. Kristor chose his usual orange soda, even when the waiter gave him a funny look. Neil had iced sweet tea since he was driving.
“The restaurant is beautiful. I love the Tuscan look,” Carly shyly spoke up.
“Have you ever been to Italy?” Neil asked.
She shook her head. “I’ve never left Texas.”
“You’re a travel agent. I figured you’d traveled all over the place before I moved back.”
“She’d love to, but we’ve never had the time to go,” Ria said. “At least, not at the same time. I’ve been busy starting my business. Then when I could go, she’s had something to do.”
“But it never stopped us from dreaming,” Carly said.
“Maybe we can manage a trip sometime,” Neil suggested. “My hours are a little more flexible, and I would love the chance to travel. I bet you know a lot of places that would be great to visit.”
“Oh, uh, I…” Carly blushed as she looked around the table at everyone.
“Sorry,” Neil quickly spoke up. “I guess I’m moving a little too fast.”
Carly shook her head. “No, it’s just that…” Her posture relaxed and she smiled. “I think I might like that.”
She let out a breath as if it had taken a lot for her to admit that much. This was working out a lot better than Ria could have hoped.
They ate dinner, then saw a new show that was out. A romance with a happily-ever-after kind of ending that was the cherry on top of their evening, and left Ria feeling warm. Neil dropped Kristor off at her parents’ home, then drove Ria to her house.
“I’ll get my things tomorrow,” Carly told Ria.
Ria kept a straight face. She knew Carly didn’t want to end her evening with Neil quite so soon. She nodded and shut the car door. They waited until she had her front door open before driving off.
Ria tossed her keys on the table by the door, then stepped back outside to enjoy the lazy summer breeze that whispered through the pines. She felt good that the evening had gone so well. This was what Carly had needed.
As she leaned against the porch post a hawk landed on the railing. She didn’t move, didn’t breathe, then realized who the hawk was.
“Hello,” she said softly.
Before she could do much more than that, a fog rolled in, wrapping around her. She heard his groan. Before the fog could even clear, Kristor picked her up in his arms and carried her inside.
“I’ve wanted to pull you close to me all evening, but I understand why you needed to take care of your friend, so she would not be so alone when you leave her.”
When she wiggled, he set her on her feet. “That is not why I was doing it. I did it because Neil likes her. She likes him, too, and they were taking forever, and feeling miserable because of it.”
He stood tall, and very naked. Her gaze couldn’t help but drop lower. Her mouth went dry as she remembered how it felt when he sank inside her moist heat.
“Even now you want me.”
Her gaze jerked up. “Just because I want you doesn’t mean I want to travel to your planet.”
Her eyes drifted downward again. She shook her head in an attempt to clear it of her naughty thoughts, and what she’d like to be doing right now.
“Wait here,” she said and hurried to the bathroom. She grabbed the largest towel she had and marched back into the living room, shoving it toward him. “Put this around you.”
“You do not like my naked form?” he asked, but took the towel and knotted it at his waist.
“It’s hard—”
“You make me that way.” He took a step closer.
Ria quickly backed up. “That’s not what I was talking about. It’s hard…I mean, difficult to talk to a naked man.”
Especially when she already wanted to jump his bones. He certainly didn’t make her life easy, but then, she didn’t think that was his intention.
“Then what did you want to speak about?” he asked.
“I won’t be going back with you, and you can’t take me back by force.”
“Yes, I can. My strength is superior. Remember, I am a warrior. You don’t even have any muscles. Your puny strength is no match for me.”
“I have plenty of muscles, thank you very much!”
“Not as many as I do.”
That was easy to see when she was looking at such a broad chest and all those sexy muscles. She quickly cleared her mind and squared her shoulders. Not that she really thought he would be intimidated, but she wanted him to see she wasn’t backing down. Not one little inch.
“I won’t be leaving with you, and I know you won’t force me. It’s just not in you.” She crossed her arms in front of her and smiled smugly.
His forehead wrinkled when his eyebrows drew together. “I am a warrior.”
“So you’ve pointed out more than once. But you would never force a woman to do something against her will.”
His lips clamped together, but just as quickly, he relaxed and sauntered toward her. For a moment, she couldn’t think as her nipples strained against her bra.
She quickly took a step back, holding up her hand in front of her. “No, I won’t let you seduce me into leaving with you, either.”
“You’re very obstinate.” He strode to the front porch.
Ria waited, but when he didn’t return, she walked to the door and looked out. The fog was back. She waited for it to clear. When it did, her towel was on the front porch. She went outside and picked it up.
Her body ached to feel his touch, to feel him buried deep inside her. But she knew the other side of her bed would be cold tonight.
And so would she.
