the first queen. After, or maybe because of, her mother’s untimely demise, Grace had grown to be soft, skittish and wary of men. Jorlan had always treated her with care. Mayhap teasing her would have helped her.
Mayhap he would upon his return—if she still lived, he thought darkly.
Both Katie and Nick were regarding him expectantly. He must have missed some of the conversation. “I am staying in Katie’s house,” he said, hoping that answered whatever question had been placed before him.
Katie gasped.
Nick lost his grin, but quickly managed to collect himself. “That’s good to know. But for the third time, are you up for pool later? After work, of course. We wouldn’t want to piss off the dragon lady.”
Most of the man’s words confused him, yet Jorlan realized some type of invitation had been issued. Why could these people not speak plainly? “I thank you for the offer, yet I must decline. What time I have left here will be spent with Katie.”
Nick’s gaze sharpened. “You’re going back to Anguilla?”
“Aye.” He did not correct Nick’s pronunciation of his world, for he did not wish to embarrass Katie with her mistake.
“Soon?” Nick pressed.
“’Tis my hope.”
“I see.” For some reason, Nick seemed unhappy, even angry, at that fact. “Well, the invitation is open all night if you change your mind. Katie has my number. Call if you want a ride.”
Call? By shouting? Jorlan nodded.
“Well, my work here is done.” Nick hopped from the counter and kissed Katie on the cheek. “Don’t forget the family luncheon on Saturday—and bring your date. Dad’ll love him.” With that, he tossed a wink over his shoulder and disappeared out the door.
“Oh! Wait!” Katie called. “Stay here,” she told Jorlan, then quickly added, “Please. I want to talk to my brother alone for a moment.” Without waiting for his reply, she raced outside.
“Nick,” she shouted, the sun beating down on her shoulders.
Her brother glanced up. He stood just in front of his dark blue sedan, holding his car keys and wearing a pair of sunglasses. With his light-colored hair and deeply tanned skin, he looked every inch the modern sun god. Hand shielding her eyes, she moved off the porch. A warm breeze blew by, kissing her skin. “I need to ask you a question,” she told him.
“Uh, oh. This looks serious. You know you can ask me anything, Katie Kat.”
She gulped. I can’t believe I’m doing this. But she had so little experience, and her brother was an expert. Or so he often claimed. She just wanted to have all necessary information at her disposal in case—when—she actually slept with Jorlan. After their explosive encounter in the bathroom, she knew it was only a matter of when and where, and she wanted the experience to be as pleasurable for him as she knew it would be for her.
“What’s going on?” Nick asked, more serious now. “You look like you’re about to vomit.”
“Promise me you won’t tell anyone about what I’m about to ask you.”
“Promise.”
Her steps hesitated. She fought the desire to shout, “Never mind,” and rush back into the safety of the house. Just blurt it out, she commanded herself. “What do you consider sexier? A woman wearing nothing at all or a woman wearing satin and lace? Or maybe black leather?”
His jaw nearly dropped to the ground. “I am not answering that.”
“Don’t be a baby.” She had gathered the courage to ask, so he was damn well going to answer. “I was going to ask what turns a man on most, hand stimulation or mouth, but I settled for the other question instead.”
Frowning, appearing lost, he rubbed a hand over his eyes then pinched the bridge of his nose. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”
Neither can I. “I want Jorlan to…you know—when we…you know.” When had she become so inarticulate?
Nick’s head dropped back, and he gazed at the sky. Then, “Nothing. Always nothing. And that’s the only question I’m answering. Got it?”
“I love you!” She threw her arms around him, hugged him with all of her might; she pulled back, grinning. “Now get lost. I’ve got work to do.”
He took her by the shoulders and gave a little shake, looking more intense and grave than she’d ever seen him. “You better protect yourself, do you hear me? And I don’t mean emotionally. Use condoms. Not one, but two. And if he gives you any crap about not needing them, don’t listen.”
“I’m a big girl, Nick. Have a little faith.” But she hadn’t given condoms or safety a second’s thought while lying on top of Jorlan on the bathroom floor. “I’ll be careful next time,” she vowed.
“Next time!” His eyes squeezed shut, opened. “God help me. I never want this conversation mentioned again.” Muttering under his breath, he threw open his car door and dropped inside with a thump. “You’re just a baby, for Christ’s sake, and you’re talking about having sex.”
She rolled her eyes, but he didn’t see the action because he was already racing away, leaving flying gravel and exhaust fumes in his path. Katie picked the tiny silver rocks from her hair as she strolled back into the kitchen. Jorlan stood exactly where she’d left him.
“Let’s grab something for lunch,” she said, before he could say a word. She didn’t want to talk about their kiss. She didn’t want to talk about their encounter with Nick. She just wanted to think, to plan. Everything had to be perfect when they finally made love. “You’re hungry, right?”
“I am always hungry.”
The words “for you” hung in the air unsaid.
CHAPTER TEN
PERCEN DE LOCKE HAD scoured the galaxies for two cycles. Was Jorlan still frozen inside the stone, he wondered, or was his brother now a free man? That he did not know caused frustration to claw at his insides like the sharpest of talons, yet he also felt the first stirring of hope. He had been unable to locate his half brother so far, but he was close enough that he could sense Jorlan’s essence.
Aye, he was close….
AFTER JORLAN DINED on more fried chicken and mashed potatoes than should have been humanly possible, and Katie had consumed a normal amount, they worked six more hours at the Victorian. When she finally decided they’d accomplished enough for one day, her muscles were burning with fatigue. As she drove home, her stomach began churning with anticipation and nerves. All afternoon, she’d imagined making love with Jorlan.
Cool air blasted from the truck’s air conditioner. Katie kept her attention on the road and off the man at her side. Her body was primed for contact, demanding no less than total and complete satisfaction. If she took her brother’s advice, she should drop her clothes the moment she stepped inside her house. Perhaps then Jorlan would take over. He would jerk her into his arms, slam the door shut with his foot, then
