Claimed by the Warrior (11 page)

“No. Definitely not off-base. This is potentially a huge project. I’m impressed, but we can only do it if they change that stupid freaking law. How are you doing, anyway?”

Leilani felt her cheeks warm up but shrugged. “Good.”

Marlena didn’t miss anything though. Her gaze narrowed a fraction. “Just good? For a captive you seem to be enjoying yourself.”

“Everyone here’s pretty nice and this could bring in a lot of potential work for us.” That answer would have to do.

“True. I’ve never considered expanding our business with Con’s people because the travel to and from would be a hassle if our females constantly had to be chaperoned by their mates. Not to mention single females can’t even travel freely. If you can convince them to change things, this could be lucrative for everyone.”

“I’m trying.” And she would try harder.

“I’m getting ahead of myself but if this happens, we could potentially open a branch on site, which means you could live there if you want.”

“I…” Well, that was interesting. Con hadn’t mentioned anything about a future with her after the moon cycle was over. To be fair, neither had she. If they didn’t change the law she likely wouldn’t come back, not when she could be held for another moon cycle. “That is something to think about.”

Marlena’s gaze narrowed again. “Are you getting mated?”

“No.” Though she had been thinking about it more and more. Con filled something inside her she hadn’t realized had been missing. He made her feel safe and treasured and she adored everything about him. She might still be falling for him, but the male had gotten a hold on her heart. She felt…at home whenever she was with him. After being displaced from her own planet, she’d wondered if she would ever feel truly at home anywhere. The more time she spent with Con, the more she realized that it wasn’t really about a structure making her feel secure.

She snorted. “I’ll see if you still say that in the next few weeks.”

Leilani just smiled, not willing to tell her any more. “I’m going to visit a few of these places in person to see how they match up to the design.”

“Sounds good. I’ll put in a call to Cyn, see if I can feel him out for what Con is thinking about this law business.”

Leilani hadn’t known Marlena was friendly with Cyn, but didn’t comment. After they chatted about a few more business details, Leilani got back to work on her designs. The potential for growth was here, now she just had to convince the stubborn males in this sector it would be worth it to change their traditions.

When she realized how many hours had passed and that it was nearing the time for the evening meal, she shut her programs down and went in search of Con. They hadn’t talked about his schedule this morning before he’d left, but she figured he’d be back soon, since he’d been coming in at the same time with regularity.

Instead of him, she found Cyn in the kitchen pulling food out of the cooler. She hoped he would cook again. For someone who had only recently started cooking again, the male was talented. “If you ever decide you get tired of being a warrior, I think you could get a new job as a chef.”

Shaking his head, he laughed. “Do human females like their warriors to cook?”

She plucked a long-stemmed glass from one of the cabinets before pulling out a bottle of red
villana
. “I think all females like it.”

“Hmm.” He didn’t say more as he continued moving around the kitchen with efficiency. She sat at the island and was going to ask him what he was making when he spoke again. “I hear you have been busy today.”

Maybe Marlena had already called him. “From who?”

“Your supervisor. She’s very happy with you. And she wants me to convince Con to make some changes. I said I would try but I think you will have more luck than me convincing him.”

She didn’t think so, but didn’t comment directly. Instead she got up and started pulling down plates. She could at least set the table while he cooked. “What are your thoughts on the potential changes?” He was single after all. Unlike the mated males, he might have a different opinion.

“It is time for a change.” He didn’t pause before answering.

She was glad he was on board. Maybe it would help Con decide what he wanted to do. But she was tired of talking about or thinking about work so she changed the subject and kept him company while he cooked. When he was finished with some kind of casserole that smelled like heaven, Con still hadn’t returned.

“Should we wait for your brother?” She probably could have called Con, but she didn’t want to bother him when he had seemingly hundreds of things to deal with during the day.

Cyn shook his head as he joined her at the island. “No, the food will keep. He wouldn’t want you to wait to eat anyway.”

She felt a little bad, but Cyn knew his brother better than her—and she was hungry. As they ate they talked about life here and some of the things Cyn was in charge of. It almost felt as if he was ‘selling’ the place to her. A soft sell, but a sales pitch nonetheless. She could have told him she didn’t need to be convinced this mountain region was great, as she’d found she enjoyed it. Of course Con had a lot to do with that.

By the time they were finishing up, Con strode in. Wearing a dark green tunic that made his eyes seem brighter, he practically scowled as he looked at their empty plates on the island.

“Hey, your brother cooked a fantastic meal. You want me to fix you a plate?” She slid off the chair so he could sit.

He shook his head, looking between her and Cyn before focusing on her. “I’m not hungry. It’s been a long day.” His tone was as brusque as his expression.

“Oh.” Feeling awkward, she remained where she was. Now clearly wasn’t the time to talk about any potential changes with him.

“I have work to do in my room.” He turned and was gone before she could think of a response.

Okay, then. Apparently now wasn’t the time to talk about
anything
at all. “What the hell was that?” she asked out loud before she could think about reining herself in.

Cyn lifted a shoulder. “I think he had a rough day at work.”

Even if he had, he hadn’t needed to be so rude. “Thank you for dinner. I’ll clean up.”

“That is not necessary.”

“I know, I want to. You cooked, it’s only fair.” She wouldn’t admit it out loud, but she hoped Con would pull that stick out of his butt and come out of his room before she returned to hers.

Ten minutes later the kitchen was clean, but no sign of Con. Sighing, she headed to her room. She thought about going to see him, but it seemed pretty evident he had no desire to talk to her. She felt a little silly letting her feelings get hurt, but she’d been thinking about him all day, had been mulling over the idea of actually living here, and he apparently didn’t feel the same.

* * *

Leilani’s eyes snapped open at the sound of a sharp knock. She must have dozed, she realized, pushing up from her bed. As she sat, the door opened and Con strode in looking annoyed—at her. What the hell?

“Didn’t you tell your brother he was supposed to wait for you to tell him to enter before barging in?”

Con ignored her. “Why are you not in my room?”

She slid off the bed, annoyance bubbling up inside her. “Excuse me?”

“You are not in my room.”

“First of all, you didn’t ask me to join you. You just left the kitchen earlier after barely talking to me or your brother.” And he’d made her feel as if she meant nothing to him. “I’m not a
gratta
that follows its master around. If you want to see me, you need to ask.”

“Gratta’s are mangy pets. I would not own one.” His insulted tone would have made her smile under other circumstances.

She threw up her hands. “That’s not the point. Why were you acting so weird earlier?”

“I was not weird. I just had a long day.” But his dark expression said otherwise.

“Well so have I.”

“You have?” Was that concern in his voice?

She nodded even though she had no desire to talk about that. She wanted to know what was going on with him. Luminet males could be so confusing. “Why did you walk in that kitchen then walk right back out? Don’t lie to me.”

His shoulders were tense and he appeared as if he was ready to march into battle as he stood there. “I don’t know. I arrived a little earlier than you first saw me. I…heard you and my brother enjoying yourselves. You seemed very at ease with him. Do you wish to bring someone else into our relationship?”

She blinked at him. “Are you jealous?” It seemed an impossible concept considering how taken she was with Con, something he had to know. Or apparently not.

“I think so. I do not like it.” He stood stiffly, the confession seemingly ripped from him.

Which made her melt like freaking
suklaada
cake on a warm summer day. “Look, sometimes human females have male friends.” Though not really since coming to live on planet Lumineta. But that wasn’t the point so she tried a different explanation. “Aeron came here because he was worried about me.”

“Yes, you are his mate’s friend.”

“Well, yes. But I’m still friendly with both him and his brother Hauk. Not flirty, but friendly.”

His frown deepened. “I do not like that.”

Sighing, she crossed over to him and drew his hands into hers. “I don’t want anyone but you,” she murmured, glad he didn’t pull away.

The tenseness in his shoulders lessened. “I’ve never cared for a female before. Not the way I care for you.” She had no idea what to say to that. Whenever she was around him, and even when she wasn’t around him, he was constantly on her mind. Thankfully he continued, saving her from a response. “I am happy that you and my brother get along, but as you know, in my culture, females usually mate with two males. When I heard you two, it brought up strange feelings. I am sorry.”

She slid her arms around him, tugging him close. “You don’t ever have to apologize for your feelings. It’s not like you can help them. Just don’t shut me out like that in the future. This thing developing between us is new and exciting for me too. I just need to know I matter to you.”

With the exception of earlier he made her feel like she did. Goddess, how was she ever going to leave this place? Leave
him
? The rational part of her brain told her it was too soon to be feeling so much for him, but if life had taught her anything, it was that life was fragile and fleeting. Old fears clawed at her, reminding her that if she fell for him, he could easily be taken from her. It would rip her heart out. But if she didn’t leave herself open for more, she’d gain nothing at all.

He cupped her face in that sweet, gentle way that always made her melt. “You
do
matter.”

There was something about his tone that conveyed she truly did. Hopefully as much as he mattered to her. She didn’t care if it was crazy, she could actually see a future with him; see living and settling here so easily. She just wasn’t sure how to put all that into words yet. So, she did the next best thing and kissed him.

Chapter 10

“You don’t need to escort me,” Leilani murmured to Con as they stepped out of the elevator.

His communicator buzzed again and she could tell he wanted to answer it. “I want to.” There was no room for argument in his tone. The male could be stubborn when he wanted.

“I doubt the other females’ mates are going to escort them.” When she realized how that sounded, she rushed on. “Not that we’re mated or anything, but you know what I mean.”

He just frowned at her as they strode down the newest corridor. Males in similar garb to Con passed by them. Most nodded politely, some openly stared at her, but she was getting used to that.

They might have some females here but they were all Luminet. No humans. But she hoped that would change soon. Over the last four days she’d made some adjustments to her designs and was ready to show Con her proposal. She’d wanted everything to be just right before she brought it up. His decision carried a lot of weight.

“What is on your mind?” he asked as he glanced at his communicator. A frown tugged at that wicked mouth—that only an hour ago had been stroking her to orgasm.

“What do you mean?” The brightly lit corridor had stone flooring and detailed mosaic pieces of art along the walls. She hadn’t been this way before and resisted the urge to pull out her communicator and look at a digital map.

She’d told Con she didn’t need him escorting her because she knew how to get to where she wanted. Which she did. Sort of. Mainly she didn’t want to show up with an escort. And yes, she realized that made her sound adolescent but this was her first time meeting most of the Luminet females here and she wanted to make a good impression. She and Con weren’t mated, hadn’t even talked about it—even if the last four days had made it clear that she wanted way more than casual—and she didn’t want to seem like she depended on him. Especially if this was just a fling for him. She didn’t think it was, but she was too much of a coward to broach the subject. She still had almost three weeks left here. What if he didn’t want anything past the here and now? It would hurt too much to know that and then she’d be stuck under his roof and miserable.

“Something is bothering you. I have sensed it all morning.” He slid his communicator back into his pocket then took her hand in his, linking their fingers together.