“I suppose so,” Rone murmured. Despite his promise to himself to leave her alone and keep his distance from her, he couldn’t help stepping forward to take her by the shoulders.
“What?” Kate asked, a bit defensively when he looked her up and down.
“Nothing.” Rone sighed. “It’s just…this little outfit reminds me a lot of what you wore on our Joining night.”
“It does?” Kate bit her lip. “I’m sorry—does it bother you? I guess I could change only…I’m not exactly sure what I could wear…”
“No, it’s fine. It’s lovely and you look gorgeous in it, baby,” he assured her. Letting her go, he took a step back. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“It’s okay.” Kate smiled, obviously trying to keep things light. “You know what? I’m starving. I think I’ll see what’s in the fridge. You want something?”
“I’m not hungry.” Except for the taste of her. But he couldn’t say that out loud. Instead, he went to the small couch and sat down, intending to watch something on the viewscreen.
Or he tried to sit down, anyway. Instead, he fell right through the solid-seeming piece of furniture.
“What the—?” He landed with a thump on his ass on the carpeted floor in front of the couch. “Ow! What in the Seven Hells?” He swore loudly and Kate came rushing over.
“What happened? Did you hurt yourself?”
“No. I tried to sit down and I couldn’t,” Rone growled.
“You couldn’t? What do you mean you couldn’t?”
“I mean I fell right through it somehow. Like it was a hologram.”
“You fell through it?” Kate patted the back of the couch. “It seems solid enough to me.”
“You try sitting on it then,” Rone challenged her. “I’m telling you, there’s something wrong with the damn thing.”
“Okay.” Kate came to stand in front of the couch with the backs of her legs pressed against the edge of one broad, blue cushion. She lowered herself gingerly until her bottom was just touching the top of the cushion. For a moment Rone thought it would hold her with no problem. But then, just as he had done, Kate sank right through the couch and landed with a thump on the floor in front of it.
“Be careful!” He tried to grab her but couldn’t reach her in time.
“Ouch!” Kate glared mistrustfully at the innocent looking couch. “What the hell is wrong with that thing? It feels fine until you try to put your weight on it and then it dumps you!”
“Wait a minute…” Rone ran a hand through his hair. “I think we’re forgetting what Madam Shadow said again.”
“Oh, right.” Kate’s eyes widened. “She said we wouldn’t be able to sit unless we were touching.”
“Want to try it again?” Rone held out a hand to her.
“Sure, I guess.” Shyly, she took his hand and Rone interlaced their fingers. They went to stand in front of the couch again and looked at each other.
“On three,” Rone told her. “One…two…”
“Three,” Kate said with him.
This time, Rone sat down with much more confidence, certain they had solved their problematic seating arrangements.
But once more, he fell through the couch and Kate fell with him, uttering a little scream as she did so.
“Here!” Rone grabbed for her and managed to catch her in his lap at the last minute, keeping her from hitting the ground a second time. “Are you okay, baby?” he asked anxiously, looking at her flushed face and tousled hair.
“I think so,” she said cautiously. “I think…oh! Oh, Rone, I’m stuck—look!”
Once again they had landed in front of the couch only this time Kate was in his lap instead of on the ground. But when he looked to where she was pointing, Rone saw that her left leg was caught in the couch. Not just wedged between the cushions though—actually, physically caught in the frame of the couch as though she was growing out of the dark blue fabric of the small piece of furniture.
“Gods!” he exclaimed. “What…how…?”
“I don’t know but I’m completely stuck—I can’t move an inch. Quick—put me off your lap!”
Rone did as she asked. As soon as they stopped touching, Kate was able to pull her leg free.
“Whew!” She breathed a sigh of relief. “That is so weird.”
“It’s one of the strangest things I’ve ever seen and I’ve been all over the universe,” Rone admitted.
“Well…” She shifted uncomfortably. “I, uh, guess we know what we’ll have to do if we want to sit here and watch anything.”
“We do?” He raised an eyebrow at her.
“Uh-huh. Clearly holding hands isn’t enough. I guess I have to be literally sitting on your lap for this stupid thing to support us.”
Rone frowned. “You could be right. Do you want to try one more time?”
Kate shrugged. “Why not? We’ve already landed on our asses twice. Might as well go for three.”
“No, you only landed on your ass once—the other time you landed on me,” Rone pointed out, smiling at her.
She giggled. “Sorry if I crushed you.”
“As tiny as you are? You couldn’t crush me with your sweet, curvy body if you tried.” Grinning he stood and swung her up into his arms. He loved holding her like this, cradling her close to his chest.
“Oh—Rone!” she gasped. “Put me down!”
“Not until we figure this out,” he said firmly. “Just relax, Lalli. You know even if we fall, I’ll catch you.”
“You…you will?” Suddenly they were looking into each other’s eyes and Rone realized that she was close enough to kiss. Gods, how he wanted to taste her lush, sweet mouth again! He couldn’t help remembering the long, slow, passionate kisses they’d shared while they were joined together in the Breeding Chair. When his cock slid slowly in and out of her wet, willing pussy and her sweet little tongue explored his mouth at the same time. Penetrating and being penetrated…joined together as one…
“You know I will. I’ll always catch you,” he murmured. Kate’s mouth came even closer and for a moment he was certain they were going to kiss. He could almost taste her sweet lips when she suddenly turned her face away.
“Come on—let’s see if we can figure this out,” she said with a forced sounding laugh. “And then I want to check out the fridge again—I really am starving, you know.”
“Okay.” With an inward sigh, Rone sank down to the couch.
He was waiting to fall through at any minute but, to his surprise, as long as he was holding Kate, the blue cushions supported him firmly. In fact, he thought he’d never felt a more sturdy piece of furniture—it barely even creaked when he lowered his full weight onto it. Which was saying something considering he was even bigger than most Kindred were.
“Oh…” Kate looked down in surprise. “It worked!”
“It worked,” Rone echoed but he had eyes only for her. He loved having her on his lap but it was a kind of sweet torture. He could feel her little panty-clad bottom resting right against his aching shaft through the thin material of his sleep trousers and it felt so damn good. Her sweet, fresh scent filled his senses and his mouth watered to taste her. Though his erection had gone down after the pratfalls they’d taken while trying to get seated on the couch, he could feel it swelling now in response to her nearness. Gods, how he wanted her back—all the way back the way they used to be…
“Um…” Clearly Kate could feel his shaft swelling as well because she shifted uncomfortably in his lap, which only made the situation worse.
“Yeah, baby?” Rone’s voice was a soft growl and he couldn’t help the need in it.
“Well, I guess now we know what works,” she said weakly. “Maybe…maybe I should go check the fridge now and see if I can make us some supper.”
“Maybe.” Rone said, but he didn’t release his hold on her. She felt too good in his arms—he wanted to keep her close just a little while longer.
“I…um…” Kate’s h
ands were resting lightly on his shoulders and she was looking into his eyes, seemingly unable to look away.
“Kate,” he murmured softly and pulled her gently down for the kiss he needed so desperately.
“Oh,” she said softly but she didn’t resist when he took her mouth with his.
Rone was gentle at first, not wanting to scare her. He pressed his lips to hers with infinite tenderness, tilting his head so that their mouths met at just the right angle. Then he felt Kate wind her arms around his neck and he deepened the kiss, parting his lips and pulling her closer, wanting so damn badly to taste her again he could barely breathe.
Kate seemed hesitant at first but then she kissed him back, pressing even closer so that he could feel the warm crush of her full breasts and tight pink nipples against his bare chest.
Rone groaned and ran his hands up and down her sides. He could feel her curves beneath the thin white gown, could feel the rapid beat of her heart as she pressed herself against him.
Then Kate shifted on his lap. She’d been sitting with both legs to one side and leaning in to kiss him. Now she readjusted so that she was straddling his hips, the better to face him and kiss him more deeply.
Rone heard a strangled sound rise in his throat when he felt the press of her warm, soft pussy against his aching shaft. Deep inside, he felt his Beast stir restlessly.
Mine, it growled. She should be mine! Now!
Rone felt it stretching, trying to get free. It wanted Kate—wanted to taste her sweet pussy, wanted to push the thin, barely-there strip of fabric away from her luscious mound and sink deep inside her tight little cunt. Wanted to—
This isn’t safe, he told himself, feeling the Beast rise even more. We need to stop—this isn’t safe!
Mine…MINE!
No! Though it hurt to do it, he somehow managed to break the kiss and push Kate gently but firmly off his lap.
“Rone? What—?” She began but the moment they stopped making physical contact, the couch gave way again and Rone felt himself falling.
Kate overbalanced and fell too, giving a little scream as they both hit the floor.
“Ouch!” She gave him a look that was wounded and uncertain. “Why did you do that?”
“I’m sorry.” Rone put his head in his hands, trying to calm the Beast raging inside him. “So sorry, I just…I couldn’t anymore.”
“Couldn’t what? I thought you wanted to…to kiss me.” She was panting. “I mean, you started it.”
“I know,” Rone said harshly. “But I shouldn’t have.”
Still trying to get control of himself, he rose and shook his head. Calm, he had to be calm and controlled and centered. He had to put the Beast back in its box and not let it out again…
“I guess I shouldn’t have either. I’m sorry,” Kate said softly.
Looking down, he saw the hurt expression on her face.
“Kate, it’s not what you think,” he said, feeling horrible. “It’s just that…that…”
But how could he explain to her? How could he let her know she was in danger every time they got too close, too sexual? It wouldn’t have been a problem if her memory had come back and they were truly together again. He’d had these times in the past when the Beast tried to force its way out—usually during the time of the full moons’ convergence back on his home planet.
For some reason the lunar cycle affected his Beast, increasing its power greatly. But all he had to do was tell Kate that the hunger was growing and affecting him strongly and she would stop what she was doing and find a place for them to be alone. Only when he had his face buried between her thighs and was lapping her sweet cunt, driving her towards orgasm would Rone feel the Beast retreat, satiated by the pleasure of his mate.
But now he had no way to tame it—no way to slake the hunger that grew and grew. No way to leash the Beast that roared and raged inside him.
“Just that what?” Kate demanded, looking up at him.
“Just that I’m sorry.” Rone shook his head. “So sorry, baby.”
Then he turned away. Maybe some time spent alone in the fresher would help calm him down. But how much longer could they go on this way? How much longer could he let the hunger build before the Beast broke free of its prison and did something Rone would regret forever?
* * * * *
Kate watched him go, not certain what to think. What had happened just now? She’d been doing something she probably shouldn’t—letting herself kiss him. But it wasn’t the same as letting him touch her in the shower, she argued with herself. And she hadn’t heard that strange voice in her head, urging her on. It had just been an impulse to give in to the kiss and it had been one of the most amazing kisses she’d ever had. It seemed Rone was into it too—so why had the big Kindred pushed her away?
It’s just as well, she told herself. The Knowing had given her a clear warning earlier that she was in danger so it was better to stay alert. But in danger from what? Surely not from Rone himself. He’d saved her life over and over and searched the universe for her obsessively until he found her when she’d been taken from him. Surely he wouldn’t hurt her. Would he?
Then where was the danger coming from? Was it because they had gone into the shadow instead of staying in the light as the Knowing had warned her to do? Did the danger have something to do with Flame and Frost? Or was it some outside influence that was being exerted over both of them? Kate had no idea. She only knew she was achy and unfulfilled and very, very unhappy.
I don’t understand. I don’t understand any of this!
She got off the floor and dusted herself off. She wasn’t very hungry anymore and would have liked to roll into a ball on the couch and just watch something mindless on the viewscreen but she couldn’t. Couldn’t do anything without Rone in this stupid bubble apartment, apparently. And now it seemed like he didn’t want anything to do with her.
For lack of anything better to do, she went to the kitchen area anyway and started looking through the fridge. It was stocked with all kinds of things but Kate didn’t really feel like cooking something elaborate. What she was really in the mood for was comfort food.
“Grilled ham and cheese sandwiches it is,” she muttered, pulling out some lunch meat, butter, and sliced cheese. “Now if there was only some bread…” Turning around she saw a loaf of bread sitting on the kitchen counter where there had been nothing before. Kate frowned. “Huh.” Experimentally, she said aloud, “Now if only I could have a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and a bra…”
Nothing happened. Kate even went to look in the closet, thinking that what she wished for might pop up there instead. But there was nothing but the other two outfits she’d rejected for being too sexy to wear.
Sighing, she went back to the kitchen area and found a frying pan. Rone had said he wasn’t hungry but she made him a sandwich anyway. Maybe when he cooled down some, he would feel more like eating.
In no time the sandwiches were toasty and the cheese was melted. Kate dished them onto plates with a blue flower pattern just like the ones she and Mimi used back in their Tampa apartment and sliced each one on the diagonal.
Though she’d lost her appetite earlier, the warm scent of the buttered bread and melted cheese made Kate’s mouth water. She was about to lift one diagonal of sandwich to her mouth when she remembered Madam Shadows words about not being able to eat unless she was fed by her lover’s hand. Had that been it? Something like that, anyway. She didn’t want to try to take a bite and have the sandwich jump out of her hand and land on the floor.
Sighing, she put the sandwich down and went to knock on the bathroom door. But just as she was lifting her hand, the door swung open to reveal Rone standing there with a slightly calmer look on his face.
“Oh!” Kate put a hand to her heart. “You startled me popping out like that! Would you like to come eat something?”
He shook his head. “I’m honestly not very hungry. Sorry.”
“Well, you’re coming anyway.” Kate grabbed him by t
he hand and towed him towards the kitchen. “Because I’m hungry and I can’t eat unless you feed me.”
“Oh, that’s right. Forgive me.” He came with her willingly enough and Kate led him to the counter and showed him the sandwiches. His eyes lit up—which was saying something since they were already glowing. “Oh—you made grilled cheese sandwiches! My favorite!”
“It is?” Kate asked. “I, uh, didn’t know.”
“You made it for me the first time I came back to your domicile.” Rone’s eyes went misty with memory. “We were caught out in a rain storm and we were both soaking wet. It was only our third date, I think. When we got back inside your place, we were soaked to the skin. You changed clothes but you didn’t have anything big enough for me to wear. So you wrapped me in your grandmother’s quilt—the pink and gold and green one she made for you—and fixed me this.” He gestured at the plate. “You called it ‘comfort food.’ Told me your mother used to make it for you on rainy days when you were little.”
“Wow…that’s so sweet.” Despite herself, Kate was charmed by the story. She could just see it in her mind’s eye—the big Kindred wrapped in her favorite quilt and munching on the gooey, crunchy sandwich, trying grilled cheese for the first time and loving it.
“It was then that I knew,” Rone said quietly, picking up a slice of the sandwich.
“Knew what?” Kate asked, opening her mouth as he held it to her lips.
“Knew that I was falling in love with you.” His voice was soft but his eyes blazed. “I’d been trying not to, you see. You were so small, baby—so delicate. I was afraid I’d hurt you—afraid we wouldn’t be right for each other. But at that moment I knew I was falling and I couldn’t help it. Didn’t want to help it anymore.”
“Oh, Rone…” Kate pushed the sandwich gently away and looked at him. “What’s going on?” she asked softly. “What just happened back on the couch? Why…why did you stop?”
He shook his head and looked away. “Please don’t ask. I can’t tell you…not now.”
“It’s just…” She looked down at her hands. “I thought you wanted me close.”