Pixie’s Prisoner (9 page)

He smiled, perhaps the first truly genuine smile she’d ever seen from him. He made no attempt to hide his nudity, but faced Okibi boldly. “What’s going to happen to Laela?”

Okibi sighed. Her own smile disappeared. “There’s going to be a hearing. Phillip —”

Nathan’s grip on her hand tightened. “I want to testify on her behalf. She’s a damn good scientist. The only thing she needs is an appropriate test subject. That’s what I’m here for.” His gaze shifted to her and his dark eyes softened. “For as long as she’ll have me.”

Tears burned Laela’s eyes. A fat drop spilled over her lash line to trickle down onto her cheek. Nathan had no way of knowing how good a scientist she was, but the unshakable faith in his voice told her everything about what kind of man he
really
was.

Okibi’s lips tilted upward in another crooked grin. “It’s not that kind of hearing. Phillip called a conference. Between you, me, and the pink walls, I doubt he’s going to fire you.”

Laela hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath until it blew out in a
whoosh
.

“Be that as it may,” Okibi continued,” take a few days off. Show your handsome mate around the island. Relax for a while.”

Mate?
Nathan and Laela looked at each other. She had a feeling her gaze mirrored his. A little shaken, maybe a little afraid. A whole lot happy.

“Oh, and by the way,” Okibi tossed out over her shoulder as she turned to leave, “when you get tired of the lab specimen gig, come see me. Bran, Viktor, and I are in need of a well-trained military man to help hold down the fort around here while we’re gone.”

With a quick wave of her fingers, she was gone.

Silence descended around them in her wake. Nathan watched Laela with those incredible dark probing eyes, looking at her as though she was the most beautiful sight he’d ever laid eyes on.

This time, it was he who looked vulnerable.

For once, Laela had no idea what to say. She felt awkward and unsure, like a teenager experiencing her first real relationship. In a way, that’s exactly what this was. Her first real chance at happiness. And she intended to do everything in her power to make sure she didn’t mess it up.

“So… you think you’ll take her Okibi up on her offer?” Laela asked when he still hadn’t spoken.

Nathan shrugged. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her close to him. “Maybe at some point in the future. Not now, though.”

“Why not?”

Tilting her chin, he kissed her long and hard. “Because I expect being your test subject is going to keep me very, very busy.”

Award-winning author Lacey Savage loves to write about her dreams — or more specifically, she loves to breathe life into her steamy fantasies (and she’s got plenty!). She pens erotic tales of true love and mythical destiny, peopled with strong alpha heroes and feisty heroines. A hopeless romantic, Lacey loves writing about the intimate, sensual side of relationships. She currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her loving husband and their mischievous cat. You can learn more about Lacey by visiting her website at
http://www.laceysavage.com/
, and can reach her at
[email protected]
.