Balam snorted.
“Okay, okay, I’ll try.” How the hell was he going to convince her when they didn’t cage animals on New Symtaria? They were free to roam at will. No one harmed the guides, and the guides didn’t harm the humans. She wouldn’t have the job she so desperately wanted.
Occasionally, there were rogue hunters that had to be caged, but there were specially trained guards who cared for those humans or guides. It wasn’t a good job. They weren’t a perfect society.
He sat on the side of the bed. His stomach growled and he realized it had been a while since he’d eaten. As he went to the other room, Rogar caught a glimpse of Callie sleeping on the sofa, and walked closer.
Her breathing was even, as though she slept peacefully. And why wouldn’t she? It wasn’t as though she cared for him as much as he did her. How could he be so stupid as to fall in love with her?
His body trembled. He did love her. He loved her with all his heart.
She stretched.
He went back into the kitchen, not wanting her to see him right now. The last thing he wanted from her was pity. He was such a fool. On New Symtaria he had women practically falling at his feet, but it was Callie that had taken him to his knees.
“I’m starved,” she said.
He glanced over his shoulder. She wore that sleepy look that reminded him of when they mated. He quickly faced the cabinet and opened it.
“You have nothing to eat.”
“Because I never have much money for food,” she grumbled.
“Pizza.” He looked up the number, then punched it in.
“You really like pizza, don’t you?” she said after he placed the order.
“It’s good.” He cleared his throat. “About tonight. I want you to get out of there if Zerod shows up.”
“Do you think he will?”
“No, not really. He hasn’t had time to pick up our scent.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Can you do that? I mean, smell someone’s scent?”
He shrugged. “Sometimes. It depends. A guide can sometimes detect another Symtarian, but not always.”
“Can you detect my scent?”
He wished she would let it go, but he could tell by her expression she was just curious enough to keep asking. So be it, she wanted to know, he would tell her.
“Yes, I know your scent. It’s the wildflowers that burst with fragrance after the danger of a freeze has passed. It’s sultry, lazy nights. It’s the scent of the forest.” He stopped in front of her. “It’s everything that I love.”
She didn’t move when he grazed his knuckles over her cheek, or when he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers. Fool, his mind screamed, but he couldn’t seem to stop. If nothing else, he would have his memories.
When he ended the kiss, they were both breathing hard. “I don’t like sleeping alone,” he finally said.
“The sofa is uncomfortable.”
“Good, then you will sleep with me from now on.”
“Until it’s time for you to leave.”
He heard the catch in her voice, and knew this was as hard for her as it was him. “We won’t speak of leaving. Not until that time comes.”
“Okay.”
He forced himself to let her go, and went to the cabinet, bringing down two glasses. The silence was thick with un-spoken words.
The doorbell finally rang.
Her smile was sad. “Pizza.”
Glad for something to do, he went to get their food. The same young man was on the other side of the door.
“I kept it nice and hot, sir, and I threw in some cinnamon swirls—no extra charge.”
“That was thoughtful.” Rogar reached in his pocket, and brought out a thick wad of money. He peeled off several bills and handed it to the boy.”
The kid swallowed hard, then took the money, shoving it into the pocket of his jeans. “Thank you very much!” He handed Rogar the drinks and the pizza, then jogged back to his vehicle. When Rogar turned, Callie was smiling.
“What?”
She walked forward and took the bottle of soda. “The normal tip is around five dollars, not five hundred.”
“You think I gave him too much?”
“I think if you stay here very much longer, you’ll pay for his college education.”
He nodded. “Education is a good thing.”
She suddenly sobered. “You could stay, you know. Think how much you could learn about Earth while you were here. You know, be an explorer or something.”
“I can’t.”
“But why not? It’s the perfect solution.”
“I cannot.” He walked to the kitchen and set the box on the table.
“It could work.”
“I’m sorry.”
She set the bottle of soda on the table and planted her hands on her hips. “Oh, I see, it’s okay for me to give up everything I’ve ever known and go to another planet far, far away. But when I suggest you stay here with me, you won’t even consider it.”
He sighed. Things had been going so smoothly. “I’m a prince. I have responsibilities.”
“Ohh, now I’m impressed. I guess I’m too low class that you would even consider staying with me.”
How had she managed to twist his words? “You know that’s not what I meant.”
“I’m just beginning to think I might not know you as well as I thought I did,” she said quietly. “I’m going to take a shower.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “It won’t be long before it’s time to leave.”
“You need to eat.”
“I will. I just want to shower first.”
He let her go, watching until she went inside the bedroom and closed the door. He didn’t want to leave her. He wanted her to be a part of his life, but he had a feeling she was already gone.
Chapter 28
Callie was antsy. Three nights had passed, and still nothing from Zerod. Not a hint that he was even in the area. Their pictures had been plastered all over the front page of the paper, taunting him to show his face. Telling him they weren’t scared of what he might attempt.
She stopped at the fence in front of Sheba’s cage. Rogar would probably kill her himself because she’d slipped away, but she had to get out of the building for a while. Rogar was busy with the lion’s cub. Somehow, it had cut its foot. She smiled. The cub was a cute little fellow. Always into one thing or another. Besides, she wouldn’t be gone that long. Rogar probably wouldn’t even miss her.
