Page 33 of Champion
Zarpazian.
I tried to pull away, but his grip welded to my forearm. I watched as his face morphed, changing color and shape from that of an Aljani to one more familiar. To mine.
My brain rolled with the desperate realization that the Zarpazian would use me to get to Willa. To hurt her.
Kill her.
I roared against the idea, every cell in my body fighting his invasion until everything went black.
Chapter 11 – Willa
Twenty-two steps.
It took twenty-two steps to carry me from one side of my room to the other. Twenty-eight steps to cross it lengthwise. The yellow glow from the one electric light swayed on its cord, casting the room in shadows that taunted me with their ethereal dance.
I hated déjà vu.
I hated the feeling of knowing I’d traveled these same steps dozens of times before, although on a different planet. First, when my husband was out on a mission. Afterward, with my son. Now Charick.
Pacing.
Waiting.
Hating the feeling of worry that settled in my gut, burning and squirming. Worry that would torment me until he opened the door, and I could fly into his arms, feeling his strength and warmth, knowing he was okay.
Charick was a seven-foot alien warrior who moved like a combination of the Terminator and Bruce Lee. I shouldn’t be so worried about him.
Yet I was.
That familiar combination of tenseness, restlessness, and nausea was a companion I knew all too well.
When did my feelings change? When did I go fromlikinghim to an emotion that I was afraid to name? Granted, last night was incredible. Great sex sat as a big old checkmark in theprocolumn of myCharick would make a great matelist.
Seriously, I had it bad.
I’d even found it sexy when, just before he left, Charick made sure the blade Atdovar left fit well in my hand. His faith that I was competent enough to keep myself safe in his absence did all kinds of gooey things to my insides.
I settled on the cot, trying to convince myself that I was simply letting my imagination run away from me. My heartbeat kicked up a notch, but only for a second before it jerked to a slow, incremental pace. Copying Charick’s heartbeat, perhaps? A slow heartbeat was a good thing, right? If he was fighting or in any other danger, his heart would be hammering.
Ugh… where was he?
The blankets I sat on held the faint remembrance of his spicy, musky scent, and I let myself spin into daydreams of being in Charick’s arms again. The feel of his lips against my skin, how he’d held me as I fell apart under his touch. I couldn’t wait for round two. Of course, that meant Charick needed to show up.
Ugh. Where was he?
I promised him I’d wait inside… but I didn’t promise not to peek.
I crept to the door stealthily, almost as though I expected him to be waiting on the other side to pounce because I didn’t stay put. I hoped for it, actually. My heart slowed in beat when the ramshackle door creaked open, revealing nothing on the other side but darkness. I squinted as though somehow that would help me see through the din.
Nothing.
The air was silent and still, and I nearly slammed the door shut just to give some resonance to the night. But just as I laidmy hand against the door, I heard it. While too far away to see the owner, the unmistakable thud of heavy footsteps against the cobblestones traveled in my direction.
Excitement and relief warred for dominance in my chest. I shut the door, grimacing at the faint creak. Rushing over to the cot, I fluffed the stained pillows and blanket before sitting, taking a moment to smooth the pale gray shift I used as a nightgown. I’d showered shortly after Charick left and washed my hair, not wanting the sweat and dirt of the day to linger between us.
My heart jumped at the twist of the door latch, realizing that, in my elation, I’d forgotten to bolt the door. Oh well, Charick could just be angry about that… as long as he walked through that door unharmed.
When the door pushed open, and he stepped into the room, I shivered with expectation and jumped to my feet. I took a step, nearly running into his arms, but something stopped me.
