“What about Lily?” Killer asked, shooting a quick glance behind her to see if Lily was close enough to hear. “She think you crazy.”
Alex snorted. “I think it’s too late for control damage now.” He paused briefly, frowning, before stepping up the pace. Control damage didn’t sound right, but he’d puzzle out the different meanings of Earth words later when he was alone.
“True,” Killer conceded. “We go now.”
Alex jogged over to the car. “Sorry I’m late. Time got away on me.”
“No problem. I think you’ll be pleased with the info I’ve collected for you. The owners of the hotels I went to have offered some great deals although I’m not sure about parking for the spaceship. Where would you like to go next? There’s the Agrodrome where they have performing sheep. We could take a boat trip out on the lake and visit Mokoia Island where the lovers Hinemoa and Tutanekai defied their parents and met, or there’s the Buried Village—”
She sounded nervous, her words spilling one over the other while her gaze danced everywhere, never settling. He found her edginess endearing, and he fought the urge to draw her into his arms and kiss her. That would solve her doubts, but get him into a heap of trouble. Alex wished he could get his hands on her ex-husband. The worm. Then a thought hit. Perhaps he wasn’t behaving any differently. Ultimately, he’d leave, and Lily would be alone.
“You choose the sights to visit,” he said.
Five minutes later, they drove through city streets, passing advertising signs about places to stay and their facilities. Thermal hot pools, cable television, children’s playgrounds.
Something for everyone on any budget
. Alex scribbled several notes.
Lily pointed out the adventure sports available for any daredevil clients he might have. “I don’t mind waiting while you zorb,” she said, slowing as they passed signs depicting a large clear plastic ball rolling down a hill with a person inside. “Or you can bungee jump. I told you about last night. Remember jumping off a bridge with elastic bands attached to your feet? That’s the private spa pools where you can have massages and treatments.” Lily showed him the entrance.
Alex jotted more notes, feeling truly excited about the range of excursions he’d be able to offer. They had nothing like this on Dalcon.
Lily drove through the Government Gardens, resplendent with beds of colorful annuals and the mature trees, her mind only half on the job. The rest of her mind was stuck back at their lunch stop. She’d…they’d… Lily pulled up in the parking area near St. Faith’s Church. Alex wanted to see the old church and the jetty from where the boats sailed to Mokoia Island.
Alex had…they’d…she’d had her first taste of oral sex. A grin puckered her lips. Alex had done the tasting. But whatever, his tongue on her had made her want to fly. And she had. Lily cast a speculative glance at him as he sauntered across the car park with Killer yapping at him nonstop. What would it feel like to taste him, to hold him in her mouth and pleasure him? A funny shivery sensation made her stomach swoop and plunge as if she were on a fairground ride. She wanted to learn—if Alex would let her. The problem was he seemed to switch on and off like a tap, confusing the heck out of her.
She glanced at him again and saw that two young women had stopped him to chat. Jealousy wiped the pleasant buzz from her system, and she glared at the women through narrowed eyes. Although they had stooped to pat Killer, their attention settled on Alex. The tall, slim one with the midnight-black hair was close enough that her breasts brushed Alex’s arm.
Lily relaxed when she saw Alex shake his head. Both women glanced at her and then turned back to Alex.
Probably wondering what a fat cow was doing with the golden cat
. All the happiness and confidence that had built during the day seeped out her shoes. Who was she trying to kid? She and Alex were as different as Dalcon and Earth. They would never have a future together.
They ended up staying the night in Rotorua and spending most of the day exploring and trying out the many available activities. Lily grimaced. Alex had done the quality testing—she was strictly a two-feet-on-the-ground kinda girl. Her clumsiness challenged her enough and filled her need for adventure. She glanced at Alex’s enthralled face as he stared out at the scenery. The alien’s enthusiasm was contagious, and she’d allowed him to dally until late afternoon before putting her foot down and demanding they leave for their next stop.
When they arrived in Taupo, the trio of mountains on the far side of the lake was barely visible in the rapidly closing dusk. Acute disappointment bloomed in Lily, but she promised herself she’d get up early in the morning and walk along the edge of Lake Taupo so she could savor her favorite view to her heart’s content.
“Our hotel is at the end of this block.” Lily slowed to give way to the stream of approaching traffic then turned into the parking lot. She pulled up in the last remaining spot and switched off the ignition.
“Looks full,” she said. “Lucky I’ve booked.”
They climbed out, and Alex collected their bags from the back.
“Do you want your boots?” Lily asked, seeing them still sitting in the rear.
“No, leave them there. I won’t need them tonight.”
“Do we have food?” Killer danced around their feet in a four-footed frenzy.
“Later,” Alex said. “Not now. You’re attracting attention. You’ll get us kicked out.”
Lily shook her head. The two of them were at their growling again. Weird. Just plain weird. “I’ll go and check in.”
She left them to their barking contest and pushed open the door to the reception area. It was a plush room with thick carpet. Her shoes sank into it with each step. A grandfather clock ticked off the minutes in a loud, regal manner from the far corner. Almost seven. After the eventful day, she was ready to kick off her shoes and relax.
Lily joined a queue of four people and let her mind wander. Of course, it didn’t really meander. Like a magnet, her thoughts seized on Alex. Lily feared she was setting herself up for a huge, body-crunching fall and long-lasting heartache. But that didn’t stop her pondering what if.
“Next, please!”
Lily jerked from her reverie to find the middle-aged woman behind the reception desk glaring at her. She stepped up to the shiny wooden desk. “Sorry. I have a booking for Morgan.”
The woman consulted her register then glared over the rim of her glasses. “You’re late.”
“It’s only just gone seven.” The grandfather clock chimed noisily the instant Lily said the words.
“We hold the rooms until six unless prior arrangements are made. Next, please.”
Lily stood firm, and the woman glowered at her anew. “I am sorry we’re late. Do you have other rooms available? Two singles.”
Behind Lily, the door from outside opened with a well-oiled sigh.
“No dogs!” the woman shrieked.
Lily winced and turned to signal Alex to take Killer outside. Luckily, he appeared to understand her eye rolls and gestures.
“We don’t have any singles left,” the woman said. “All we have is a double.”
“Can you recommend another hotel?”
“It’s the middle of school holidays and the mountain-to-lake run is being held this weekend. Rooms are scarce. You won’t get one. Next, please.”
Still Lily stood her ground. The thought of driving around looking for rooms wasn’t appealing. “I’ll take the double.”
“Is that your dog?” the woman countered.
“Yes, but she’s booked into the kennels.” Lily held the woman’s stern gaze, trying hard not to blink. Just as she was about to glance at her shoes, the woman inclined her head.
“Very well. Fill out this. Credit card, please.”
Lily took care of formalities and finally received two keycards in return. She turned away and let her breath ease out in a relieved hiss. Thank goodness, dragon lady had believed her about Killer. Now all they had to do was smuggle her into their room. The change of rooms was a bit of a pain since she’d been looking forward to soaking in a hot bath. But on the other hand… A slow grin spread across her lips. Perhaps this was an opportunity to show Alex she was interested in learning alien ways. Specifically, their sex lives and his anatomy.
* * * * *
“No! Not going in bag.”
“You’ll have to,” Alex said. “Dogs aren’t allowed in the rooms.”
“Undignified,” Killer sniffed, glaring at the large leather bag with a look of pure dislike. Her tail trembled just enough to show her displeasure.
“Do you want food?”
“Food?” Killer’s eyes brightened and the wag of her tail increased to a frenzied flick.
“You can only have food if you get inside the bag.”
Killer sat and stuck her nose in the air. “No.”
Lily returned from exploring the room. “It’s a nice room, and fairly big so we won’t trip over each other.”
The sharp jerk of his tom reminded him that tripping was the least of his problems. But now, Killer rated a little higher than the bonding ties.
“Killer won’t get in the bag,” he said.
“If the woman at reception spies her, we’ll lose our room. The hotel management will have us out so quick our heads will spin. Killer will have to get into the bag.”
Alex backed away from the stubborn dog with an elegant hand gesture. “Be my guest. You tell her.”
“She won’t understand.” Lily advanced on the dog.
The bloody dog understood too much for his liking. He folded his arms over his chest and settled against a brick wall to watch the unfolding drama. This oughta be good.
Killer growled low and mean at Lily, and turned around to present her butt in full-out revolt. Alex smothered his laugh by turning it into a cough.
“Told you.”
“I stay in Sam’s car,” Killer barked. “After I have food.”
Alex watched with amusement as Lily grabbed for Killer, aiming for the scruff of her neck. At the last moment, the dog darted out of reach. Lily tripped and saved herself from a fall by snatching at the rear of the vehicle but still managed to knock her knee on the tow bar.
A loud thud sounded, and Alex winced in sympathy. That must have hurt. “You okay?”
“Fine,” Lily gritted out. “What are we going to do about the dog?”
In the glare of the car park lights, Alex caught the sheen of tears in her eyes and saw the shadows of fatigue. Lily was tired. “Why don’t we leave Killer in the vehicle? I’ll feed her and take her for a walk before we go to bed.”
“I suppose that will have to do,” Lily said.
“What number is the room?”
“Room 206.” Lily handed him a keycard. “I might go and soak in the spa bath, if that’s okay.”
Alex nodded, not trusting himself to speak. His gaze zapped to her butt, watching the sway of her hips as she walked away. He didn’t want to imagine her naked in a tub of scented water. It was bad enough that they had to share a room. Alex bit off a savage curse and glared at the dark, star-studded sky. If he peered hard enough, he was sure he’d see the Goddess of Dalcon and Tigus wetting herself with laughter. A snort erupted at the thought. The planet of Tigus might appreciate the waterfall. Before he’d left, they’d been complaining of the lack and petitioned the King for a water ceremony.
After seeing to Killer’s many and varied needs, Alex stopped in at the hotel restaurant and ordered a room service meal for both of them. Wanting to try some of the New Zealand specialties, he picked out roast lamb with tamarillo sauce and a selection of vegetables. Then for after, he chose cheese and crackers along with a selection of homemade chocolates. The maître d’ recommended a bottle of wine and suggested they make coffee or tea up in the room. Lily had looked so exhausted down in the car park, and he had notes to write so the suggestion sounded
basuko
fine.
With slight trepidation, he slid the keycard into the door. Perhaps he could use a temporary bed. What did they call them? Oh, yeah—a couch. It was either that or the floor since he dare not risk sharing the bed.
Lily’s special floral scent hit him as soon as he stepped inside the hotel room. Then the sight of the bed grabbed him by the throat, demanding attention and consideration.
It was big.
Soft and luxurious.
And Lily lay in the middle asleep. With her eyes closed and her face relaxed, she hardly looked older than an undergrown. As he watched, her eyes flickered open. They were a beautiful blue that reminded him of the lakes they’d seen today—sometimes light blue and innocent and at other times, dark, stormy and mysterious.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“That’s all right.” Her voice was low and seductive. “If I nap now, I won’t sleep later tonight.”
Bloody hell! He didn’t want that. If two people lay awake in the small hours of the morning, chances were their minds would take a sharp turn into trouble. Not that his brain wasn’t in the territory already. He sighed and wished he’d checked in at reception instead of Lily. He’d have intimidated the dragon lady into giving them their booking.
“I ordered room service. I hope that’s all right with you,” he said, more to ease the rising tension in the hotel room than to impart information.