Chapter Five

She was warm. It was the good kind of warmth that made you want to stay in bed for another hour. She placed her toes right up against the smooth skin of a warm male while keeping her eyes shut so she could have plausible deniability about everything that was happening.

“Even if you don’t open your eyes, I’ll still be here.”

There was laughter in his voice that her body was appreciating. She was shuddering like she just smelled something delicious. His sandalwood scent was going to get her every time.

“This is a dream, and I’m trying to enjoy it. Now please be quiet.”

“Whatever you say.”

“You’re not supposed to like me.” She whispered the secret not wanting the whole world to hear it.

“Why?”

“I’m not really sure. All I remember is something about gyms and why men only like thin women.”

“Do you remember who said it to you?”

She did, but she shook her head no. One day, she would get the concerned citizen award for saving a life other than her own.

“You know you’re not supposed to sleep with women you don’t know.” Her voice was whisper soft.

“I know you. Your name is Saffron; you almost died. Evil touched you, and you want me.”

She was blushing again because she did want him.

“You’re not supposed to say that.”

“Why not?”

“Don’t you know any of the rules?”

“No.”

“You’ll appear cocky, too sure of yourself. You’re acting like you know me better than I know myself. I’ll think your insufferable with a big ego.”

“I’m just telling the truth, I can smell you.”

“Eww, are you saying I stink?” She should have taken that shower, even if she fell.

“No, your scent is appealing. It calls to me.”

“You don’t hold anything back do you?”

“Not with you, I’ll always tell you the truth.”

She opened her mouth and closed it. She wasn’t about to throw what he was offering back in his face. No one had ever treated her like this before, and she knew it because of how his words made her feel.

“What if I’m evil?” Why else would someone have shot her? She must have done something so despicable they were scared for their lives.

“You're not evil Saffron. You couldn’t hide that even though you don’t have your memory.”

“Thank you.” Hesitantly, she placed her hand on his chest before moving closer and laying her head on him. “You’re really buff.”

“Do you like it?”

“I do.”

“Then I’ll stay this way.”

She smiled and put her order in. Please universe, I want a male who acts strangely and smells great. I’ll take Xander, thank you.

“I’m scared to leave this little patch of heaven, but I have to find out who shot me.”

“You’re going too fast. You can’t even take a shower yet, and Cait and Tristan haven’t cleared you. Until then, you’re stuck right here with me.”

“Then draw me a bath.” She giggled and clapped her hands. “Hurry please.”

“Your will, my desire.” His deep voice rumbled in her ear.

She was dead, it was the only reason she could feel this way. Was this heaven? She must have done something good on Earth if only she could remember what and Xander was her reward. On the other hand, her life was hanging in the balance, and all of this was simply a dream. Either way, she was going to grab him and not let go until the dream faded, and she woke up, most likely dead.

Her body was naked when she took off the covers, but she refused to blush. It was all a dream after all, and he seemed to like what he saw.

“No standing on your own until we’re sure that you can keep your balance.”

“Oh.” She grabbed her head and fell. He moved too fast for her to see, but he caught her.

“What happened?”

“For a minute, I thought I caught a glimpse of the person who shot me, but it’s gone.”

“Don’t try to remember it will come on its own.”

“You’re right. I just don’t want to be a burden. I remember some things.”

“Tell me.”

“I remember playing in the dirt with my best friend. I don’t know what happened to her.”

“How old were you?”

“Maybe three. We used to play secret games. My dad said we couldn’t tell anyone about them.”

“Why not?”

“He would say, Roni, people are scared by things they don’t understand, and they don’t understand you.”

“He’s right.” Xander scooped her up into his arms and took her to the bathroom.

“Do you always come on this strong?”

“No. I like to sit back and observe.” He should be doing that very thing, but she pulled at him, and he couldn’t help but respond. He eased her into the water, and she gave a sigh of pleasure.

“This feels good. I know I’m not grimy, but I was feeling that way. It’s weird I felt like I had dirt everywhere.”

“You did. That’s how you were when we found you. You were close to the river. I think you crawled up the embankment.”

“His cronies left me there.” Her hand went to her head.

He took it and gently rubbed it. “It’s okay you don’t have to remember right now.”

Her shoulders relaxed, and her smile returned.

“I had a strange dream that you were holding me when I wanted to die. That’s weird.”

“I did, you were wrapped tight in my essence, and I refused to let you leave.”

“We talked, and you made me smile even though there was so much pain.”

She laid her head back on the tub as water gently lapped against her breasts. Why was she so comfortable with him? The image of the shadow on the wall moved in her mind, but this time she was prepared for it.

“There are aliens on the Earth. The shadow is one of them.” She told him her secret and waited for him to laugh at her.

“I know.”

“You’re not scared?”

“No.”

“My brave warrior.”

“Time for you to get washed up.”

He helped her bathe, but by now she was over being nervous about her nakedness. His hands on her body was doing it for her; his naked body was like having your cake with an extra scoop of ice cream.

He wrapped a towel around her and helped her get out the tub.

Her throat worked, she knew she should go put on clothes. You can’t die twice without having your priorities rearranged.

“I want to kiss you, just once.” She was licking her bottom lip. It was a nervous tell.

He drew her into his arms nestling his hard dick against her stomach. A moan of sheer need came from her. He took advantage of her open lips and slipped his tongue in. He caught her in a sensuous kiss. Sucking on it and nipping it like it was some form of ambrosia. He slipped his hand under the towel and found her clit making her rub against him.

He stroked her encouraging the keening sound that was coming from her lips. Then he pinched her clit. She went over a cliff she didn’t know was there. Her body convulsed, and she clung to him before he finally picked her up and took her back to the bedroom.

*~*~*~*

“I thought I would cook you breakfast today.”

She looked at him amazed. He had just given her an orgasm that sonnets should be written to. Odes declaring the gloriousness of his fingers should be in every mouth, and he was worried about eggs, bacon, and toast. No wonder she was falling for him.

“I’ll like whatever you cook.”

“I’m holding you to that.”

She watched him as he moved around the kitchen with masculine grace. Did she just think that? Her hand went to her mouth to control the laugh. It was actually a giggle, but she was too old for that. This was something she never thought would happen. She struggled to remember her life, but all she could remember was what happened two years ago. That was before it all went to hell. That frustrated her, she knew something happened, but she didn’t know what. She did know this, there was no male in her life. Her body felt like it was dead and was now coming awake. Every time Xander touched her, held her, or kissed her, it felt like a revelation. She didn’t know what she forgot in the last two years, but a male wasn’t one of them.

She looked over at him; he was attempting to make fresh-squeezed orange juice. Damn, she wanted to cry. When was the last time someone cared enough to do something like this for her? Her heart squeezed.

“Can I help?” She walked over to the counter where he was putting too much pressure on the orange and placed her hand over his.

“Relax your grip it’s too tight.” They started over with another orange; her hand was on his guiding him. Together they filled two glasses.

“Thank you.”

She looked up at him, and his green eyes were blazing. There goes my heart.

“You're welcome.” She was ready when he bent his head and kissed her. It was just a peck on the lips, but it was enough to remind her how he was making her feel.

She carried the glasses to the table, and he brought the plates. After they sat, she took a bit of the eggs. She knew he was watching her even though he turned his head like he was looking out the window.

After one bite, she gave a loud sound of appreciation and rolled her eyes backward.

“I’ve never tasted anything better.”

He gave her a look of such devotion that her heart almost stopped, the fork did fall making a noise against the plate.

“Thank you.”

“The food really is good.”

“It’s not like–.”

“Don’t do that.” She cut him off. “Don’t sell yourself short. The food is delicious, and you are exceptional. I can see beyond what you show everyone else, and you’re more than the secret weapon.”

He looked at her shock on her face.

“I heard you when you talked to me. Even though I couldn’t say anything, I heard everything. I thought it was a dream, but everything you told me is real. You think of yourself as the secret weapon, the one person who will keep your family safe. You’re so much more than that. I am finding out about the male. You’re kind, tender even, loving, and caring. A great cook, what you don’t know we could learn together.”

She wasn’t giving him up. This was a dream world where everything was alright, and she was living in a place where no one could touch her. This would come to an end, and she knew it. Nothing mattered though because she was going to find a way to keep Xander by her side. You didn’t find your personal heaven and then walk away from it.

“Did you hear everything I said?”

She had to swallow around the lump in her throat. He was asking about two pieces of information. The first was that he wasn’t human. It was the gray skin that gave it away although she could have fooled herself into thinking he was an ex-coal miner. The second was that she was his mate. That made her stomach do all kinds of flips, and her pussy tightened looking for something to hold onto.

All of this also made her scared. It was like standing on the edge of the universe and knowing one step could take you to paradise, but the wrong step would lead you to hell. She’d already been there got the T-shirt and didn’t want to go back.

Now she needed to make the right move.

She looked at him nothing but sheer bravado in her gaze. “Yes.”