Page 10 of Right Next Door
Just like that.
He justleft.
Misty stared after him, slack jawed in stunned amazement. That wasnotwhat she expected, and she had gone through every possible scenario she could think of since finding out that she had an alien mate in the first place.
Shy and cutesy. Hot and sexy. Hell, she was even looking forward to instant tension and annoyance with each other. That kind of thing turned into suchhotsex.
She was not prepared for absolute indifference.
Because what else could that be?
Tsok didn’t look back. He walked away, something shifting under his robe that made her think he was hiding a tail under there. His ears didn’t even twitch in her direction. Dare she even say, he looked happy as he left her there after saying hello like he was greeting a new colleague at work. What the hell was up withthat?!
Okay, she needed to calm down. Take a deep breath. Maybe this was like a cultural thing. Was that just how the kreecharma didthings? Meet your mate and run? Leave her wanting more, kind of thing? Or like a suppressed Victorian deal, where he was not supposed to let her know how much he actually wanted her.
Or maybe he was just an asshole.
Or, worse, she winced. Maybe he just didn’tcare.
Davard stepped into her field of vision, blocking her view of Tsok’s back as he left her alone like so much trash.
“Honored charina,” he greeted her formally.
That must be her title. She hated it. Immediately. She did not want to be associated with that guy who just walked away from her. Not enough to share his title. And not until he proved that this little meeting here was a big misunderstanding.
“Hey,” she jerked her head up at Davard, not liking him either. Not for any particular reason. Just because of his association with Tsok. “What’s up?”
Davard cocked his head. “I don’t understand the question.”
“Yeah, I realized that even as I was asking. You’re the one taking care of me?”
Davard gave her a soft, kind look. Tender. Not like a man in love. More like a grandfather looking upon his most darling granddaughter. She wasn’t sure she was entirely comfortable being looked at like that by a total stranger.
“May I give you a tour?” He asked, gesturing forward. “This is Fellbud Manor. It’s the palace of the charina. Meant only for you. We’ve given you the grandest room on the top floor. It’s considered a place of quite important historical significance…”
Misty immediately tuned the dude out. She was sure he was saying something that would, otherwise, be interesting. But she did not have the brain space to spare right now to appreciate anything of what he was spewing as he led the way inside, between assuring her that the others would bring the rest of herbelongings in and put them in her room. She could oversee the unpacking, of course. Like it was just naturally assumed that she wouldn’t need to actually do it herself, but he understood that she’d also want to make sure it was done right.
Which, yes, she would. And she would appreciate his thoughtfulness later, she was sure, but she definitely did not now. When her gut wasn’t tight with disappointed hopes and she didn’t feel like the world was one big sinkhole, dragging her down.
This really couldn’t have gone worse.
Chapter 4
Tsok
That meeting really couldn’t have gone better!
There was a delighted pep in Tsok’s step as he returned to his manor. He had some important meetings this evening that he couldn’t be late for. A shame, because he would have likely enjoyed more time getting to experience his new mate.
She was lovely. A delight on the eyes. The sound of her voice was low, kind of husky, but such a treat for the ears. He bet it would be absolutely wonderful to have her moaning in his ear as he pounded her into the bed.
Ah, but no. He couldn’t think of such a thing. If she desired him, she’d invite him into her bed, and he’d go happily. For now, he couldn’t get himself worked up over nothing.
Still, despite telling himself that, he couldn’t stop remembering all her luscious curves, her pretty smile, her confident stride that made her bounce, bounce, bounce…
Oh, how he adored that bounce.
Then, there was that little beast in its crate.
