Page 40 of Alien Mine

Dyuvad grinned and said, “Finished, beauty. What are your plans for the day?”

“Only the usual Friday chores.”

Kelly slumped into her seat, a glum frown twisting her sweet mouth. “We missed library day this week.”

For some unaccountable reason, Rachel’s gaze slid to Dyuvad. The troubles were upon them again, worse than before, seemed like. Was it really wise to go tromping around town where there wasn’t a dire need?

Dyuvad drained his cup, then set it in the kitchen sink. “We’ll make up for it in other ways.”

Kelly’s slumped shoulders straightened. “Other ways?”

“As we did yesterday.”

“You mean with your watch and the Internet and stuff?”

“With all of that,” Dyuvad agreed.

Rachel arched an eyebrow. “Your watch?”

“It’s magical,” Kelly said. “It’s got a 3D display and everything. You reckon we could look at the solar system on that thing, Dyuvad?”

“If you like.” Dyuvad’s eyes met Rachel’s across the room. A furrow appeared between his brows and his lips compressed into a tight line. He rubbed a thumb against the furrow, then dropped his hand to his side. “Fate and I must journey out of town tomorrow. I don’t want to leave you unprotected in my absence.”

Rachel stuck her chin in the air, bruised by his inference. “We got along just fine before you broke down my fence, Dyuvad.”

“Before is not now,” he pointed out, his voice as calm as the surface of an undisturbed pond.

The spit and vinegar drained out of her as quickly as remembered terror welled up. She sank against the back of her seat, one hand covering her trembling lips.

He was right. Before wasn’t now. Before, Miguel had finally forgotten about her. She and the girls had been safe enough for peace of mind, or the appearance of it anyway. That day at the lake had popped the balloon of her illusions, revealing them as the ethereal, unreal creatures they were. If not for Dyuvad, what would’ve happened to her yesterday? What would’ve happened to the girls?

The truth was, she and the girls weren’t safe. Maybe they never had been. Maybe they never would be again.

She blew out a weary breath, knuckled her own forehead, and finally gathered the words for a possible solution. “Maybe you and Fate could drop us off at Yasmin’s before you leave. She won’t mind a’tall, and maybe after she gets home from work, us girls can have a fun day without you men around.”

Kelly wrinkled her nose above a grin. “Big ol’ hairy men.”

Rachel laughed. “Some of them are anyway.”

“I think I’m insulted,” Dyuvad said, and Kelly giggled so hard, she nearly fell out of her chair.

They finished breakfast and cleaned up. Rachel scooted the girls into the back yard with a shouted admonition to stay on that side of the house. Surely they’d be safe for one morning’s play.

Dyuvad caught her arm on the way out the back door behind them and pulled her into his embrace. “You made no protest upon learning of my journey.”

Rachel shook her head, more amused by his language than anything. “You really need to deformalize a little, Dyuvad.”

“You need to stay on task,” he chided gently, and bumped his hips into hers. “It pleases me when you bow to my judgment.”

She snickered. “I ain’t bowing to nothing. You and Fate are gonna do what you’re gonna do. A mere woman doesn’t stand a chance of stopping you.”

“Is that so?”

He bent and brushed a kiss over her mouth, lingering when her lips parted and a soft sigh escaped her throat. If he was hoping to make her forget the conversation, it was working. Every thought in her head floated away at the slightest touch of his skin against hers.

She skimmed her hands up his bare chest, rested one over the muted beat of his heart, and with the other, traced a random pattern along his tattoo. He jerked back, hissed in a sharp breath, and smug pleasure joined the heat he’d whispered into her. Turn about was fair play, as far as she was concerned, and she meant to hold her own with him.

“Beauty,” he said, a reverent murmur meant only for her. “If the night were upon us and the girls in bed, you would not now bestanding here torturing me with your wicked hands.”

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