I stopped suddenly, abruptly, and gasped.

I stood in a study very much like Michael's. I knew beyond a doubt, however, that this was not my father's. The wood paneling was lighter, the furniture different, more modern. A purple and red Lucite column towered over the desk. Bookshelves of fuchsia and yellow lined one wall. Silver-plated side tables and a faux-fur ottoman occupied a corner. Blood red carpet covered the oak floors, and a large portrait of a nude redhead-obviously a natural redhead and Jonathan's third wife-hung over the unlit fireplace.

My attention slid to the center of the room. Lucius lounged atop a lime green couch, a brandy in one hand and a cigar in the other. He'd colored his hair again, this time a rich walnut brown. A scar slashed down his right temple. He wore contacts, darkening his ice-blue eyes to the same shade as his hair. As I'd predicted, the piercings and tattoos were gone. He'd fit his muscled body into an expensive silk suit.

I almost didn't recognize him. His lips gave him away, though. He couldn't change the lush, rosy softness of them. I licked my own as a picture flashed through my mind, a picture of him kissing me, devouring me. Setting my body aflame.

Was I destined to always respond to this man?

Another man sat across from him. Jonathan Parker. The self-indulgent, wife-killing playboy. His picture failed to reveal the aura of depravity that encompa.s.sed him, a depravity he couldn't mask in person. Cigar smoke drifted around him as he chuckled devilishly over something Lucius had said.

"So you met an other-worlder who fires your blood, did you?" Jonathan said. He sipped amber liquid from a gla.s.s, his feet propped on top of an expensive coffee table. His grin widened, revealing too-white, too-perfect teeth. "And she's a Raka, at that." He sighed wistfully. "I'll be honest. I've always wanted to f.u.c.k a Raka. All that gold..."

"This one's mine," Lucius cut in sharply. His gaze narrowed, leaving no hint of humor. Only deadly menace. "She's the only reason I came back here. I want her. She's mine," he repeated.

Leaning back, Parker tugged at his earlobe with his free hand. "That hot, is she?"

"She's fire and ice. Lava one minute, glacial the next. And she won't have anything to do with me," he admitted, losing his darkness and a.s.suming a sheepish quality.

"Ah, Hunter. I wouldn't let it worry you. Women like to play hard-to-get. They want us to romance them. They're desperate for it. How else do you think I won each of my wives?"

"I thought that was what women wanted, too. I sent her three hundred orchids, and she used them as fertilizer. I bought her a 'Vette, and she used it for a crash-test demonstration. I sent her a diamond necklace, and she sent me a restraining order."

Jonathan chuckled. "If she's that difficult, why don't you find someone else?"

"I wanther ."

I stepped toward Lucius, coasting my fingertips over the b.u.t.tery soft leather couch. With each step, I imagined his scent, that soapy pine scent I so admired. I even imagined the heat of him.What are you doing? Stop!

Lucius's shoulders tensed slightly. Had I not been so focused on him, I would have missed the action. My head tilted as I watched his gaze flicker left and right, as if searching for something-or someone? A cold shiver racked me, and I paused. There was no way he could see me. Right? Was something wrong? I scanned the room, looking for anything that might have raised his guard. I found nothing out of the ordinary.

"I'll win her one way or another," Lucius said, but there was now an edge to his voice that hadn't been there before.

"I hope you're right." Jonathan didn't act any different. He dropped his head back to stare up at the vaulted ceiling, the action causing the liquid in his gla.s.s to slosh. He puffed at his cigar. "If the woman's as reluctant as you say, she might not like it that you followed her here. Well, beat her here, I should say."

"I can guarantee she won't like it." Determination gleamed in his eyes. "But I'll persuade her to see things my way, I have no doubt."

"You're confident." Parker straightened and gazed pointedly over at Lucius. "That's what I've always liked about you. Nothing dampers your determination."

Lucius nodded in acknowledgment of the compliment. I resumed my journey toward him. I hadn't seen him or touched him in a week. It felt like years. The urge had never left me, of course, but now that I was here-well, kind of here-the craving intensified.

When I reached him, I allowed my fingers to drift through his hair. I couldn't feel the strands, but I imagined their silkiness and wished I could somehow solidify my fingers. The best I could do was gather energy and pushthat through his hair. But such an action required more concentration than I was willing to devote at the moment. Besides, Parker and Lucius might wonder at a sudden breeze.

Sighing, I moved to caress his jaw. He stiffened, even sucked in a slight hiss of breath. My hand froze in place. What the h.e.l.l was going on? He should not feel me. Not even a little. No one, not even Michael, had ever guessed my secret. I hurriedly drew back my hand.

"Do you smell cinnamon?" Lucius asked.

My knees nearly buckled in shock.

"No." Parker's brow furrowed. He regarded Lucius silently for a moment, then tilted his chin and said, "Are you all right?"

"Fine, just fine," Lucius said. "Just thinking of Eden. She's likely to spit on me when she realizes I'm here."

"Even if she despises you, you're a lucky man. No woman has ever consumed me like this one does you."

"Not even your wife?"

"Which one?" Parker snorted. "Never mind. Which one doesn't matter. They were all b.i.t.c.hes."

Lucius's eyebrows descended low over his eyes. "Were? Isn't Cybil still alive?"

"Barely. If I'm lucky, she'll soon drug herself to death."

My focus whipped to Parker, darkening. If I'd had a weapon, I might have used it. Such casual disregard for his wife deserved a bit of punishment.

"Being consumed by a woman isn't a pleasant experience," Lucius grumbled. "I almost wish I'd never met her."

There was a ring of truth to his voice that insulted me. Turning to face him, my eyes slitted; I reached out and jerked his hair. Childish of me, I know, the actions of a spoiled princess. Just like before, he stiffened. I frowned. How was he doing that? Did the connection between us allow him to sense me?

My blood chilled with the thought. I didn't want to be connected to him like that. I gulped and backed away until I stood in the corner, out of reach. Out of temptation's way.

"Speaking of Eden," Lucius said, resuming the conversation as if it had never stopped, "I need you to host a party for me."

Parker grinned slyly. "One to welcome her to town, perhaps?"

"No." Lucius shook his head. "I don't want her to know she's the guest of honor. A political gala will do. A gala that I, of course, will attend."

"What about the restraining order?"

"The law can kiss my a.s.s. She's an alien, so she doesn't really have rights, does she?"

Parker's grin widened, and he sipped his brandy. "Who's your Eden working for?"

"Amba.s.sador Claudia Chow."

A heavy pause slithered around the room while Parker mulled over his next words. "I don't like Claudia Chow," he said. "And I'll be honest. I don't really have the time to host a party."

It was a lie. I knew it, and Lucius knew it. Parker was simply hedging for some type of favor.

"I'll owe you," Lucius said.

Head tilting to the side, Parker studied him. "The woman really means that much to you?"

"I told you. I'm obsessed with her." He sighed.

"I know she's a Raka, but G.o.dd.a.m.n. She's still p.u.s.s.y, and you can get that anywhere. Tell me again what's so special about this one."

A wicked gleam lit Lucius's eyes. "She's got a mouth that could suck a man dry."

Yes, a weapon would have been nice. I'd carve my name in his b.a.l.l.s, then drain every drop of his blood so there would be nothing left to suck.

"Then, of course," Jonathan said, "I'll take you up on that favor and happily arrange a party where the two of you can renew your acquaintance."

The two men continued to chat for a while, before finally saying their good-byes. Parker walked Lucius to the door and with a slap on the shoulder, sent him on his way. Lucius was doing his job-quite nicely, too, I grudgingly admitted-so it was best I get some rest so I'd be in top shape when I joined him.

Though I wanted to follow him, I closed my eyes and pictured my bedroom. That ghostly wind soon returned, and I felt a strong tug. Felt the foundation shift, saw twinkling white lights. Within minutes, my spirit glided back into my body, and I opened my eyes.

Moonlight pushed through the familiar velvet curtains of my bedroom. The feather-soft mattress I'd grown accustomed to cushioned my back. Unlit, vanilla-scented candles fragranced the air, blending with a hint of Michael's cigar.

I rolled to my side, forcing Lucius from my mind. I'd never sleep otherwise. Odd, though, that I felt more bereft and alone than I had in a long time.

d.a.m.n that man.

Chapter.

9.

The next day, I lugged my newly waxed body through a grueling three-hour workout, followed by two additional hours of a.s.sault and defense training using a diverse range of weapons. A girl never knew when a specific skill would come in handy. Knives, pyre-gun, hand-to-hand combat in the virtual reality chamber, they all took their toll.

I opted out of the final wardrobe fitting. The seamstress had my measurements. What more did she need from me?

My failure with EenLi was becoming a heavy mantle of guilt on my shoulders. More so than before. Perhaps that was why I had pushed myself so hard today. Or perhaps watching Lucius so easily insert himself into Jonathan Parker's life had made me jealous. He was a much better agent than I'd given him credit for at our first meeting. NowI had to prove my worth tohim .

Only when completely exhausted did I retire to my room. I didn't nap, however. There was much yet to be done. I showered, changed clothes, then jogged downstairs for a quick meal to boost my energy. Chocolate truffles, strawberries dipped in cream, peaches, all sprinkled with sugar. My favorites. I ate them quickly. As I downed two gla.s.ses of sugar water, I heard Michael's voice over the speaker system.

"Eden, sweetie. I need to see you in my office."

Curious, I abandoned the kitchen and my delicious treats and strode into his office. He looked exactly as I'd left him yesterday-dressed in a suit, hair slightly rumpled, cigar at his side. He sat at his desk and glanced up from a thick stack of papers. He grinned at me welcomingly.

"That was fast. Finish your fitting already?"

"No, I decided not to go." Before he could respond, I sank into the chair in front of him and said, "What did you need to see me about?"

He leaned back in his seat and watched me silently for a long while. "I know you've been anxious. I also know there's nothing to be done on EenLi's case right now."

"Yes," I said, confused. What was he getting at?

He folded his hands over his stomach. "I have another case for you."

Excitement bubbled inside me. G.o.d, I loved this man. "Go on."

"There's a Morevv in New Florida raping human women. Local A.I.R. have been unable to act because of political bull-s.h.i.t. The Morevv is the mayor's lover. Mayor Jeffries, to be exact, a woman known for her political iron fist. The man's death needs to look like an accident."

"Does he have guards?"

Michael shrugged. "Two burly humans, but they always make a hasty exit when the mayor visits him."

Which meant I needed to catch him with his pants down.Literally. "Does A.I.R want to interrogate him first?"

"No. They just want him dead. He's due to meet the mayor tomorrow."

I could get in and out in no time. It was exactly the challenge I needed to combat my restlessness. Michael knew me so well. "I'll do it," I said. "Thank you." Perhaps, with this success, I could begin to wipe away my last failure.

He uttered a sigh. "Please, please,please be careful. After all the resources you've put into EenLi, I don't want you knocked out of commission on a routine takeout."

"I'm always careful." I blew him a kiss. "I'll leave within the hour and hopefully return by tomorrow night. If you'll reschedule my fitting, I'd be grateful." I winked and shoved to my feet, then sprinted from the office.

My target's name was Romeo Montaga.

Yes, that's what the Morevv called himself. Romeo.

Morevvs were known for their beauty, so I suppose the name fit. Especially since this alien's beauty surpa.s.sed any I'd ever seen. He possessed sun-kissed hair that flowed past his shoulders and an innocently divine face only an angel should have. Only his forked tongue gave away his alien status. He dressed his tall, lean frame in black leather pants and an open white shirt. I think he fancied himself a Casanova pirate.

He owned a wolfhound instead of a parrot, but the dog was about as menacing as a bird. She sprawled on her velvet pillow beside the bed and hadn't blinked twice when I entered. With her head resting on her paws, she watched Romeo with complete disinterest, even a little fear.

I'd spent the day following him, learning his patterns. He liked young girls, liked watching them and rubbing unceremoniously against them as he sauntered past them.

He disgusted me.

And right now the disgusting b.a.s.t.a.r.d had New Florida's sixty-four-year-old mayor naked and tied to his bed. I'd known I needed to catch him with his pants down, but I'd hoped to arrive after the act was completed. Not before.

Amid the woman's cries of encouragement, he quickly undressed, ripping off his clothes in a single, dramatic sweep. Seeing his naked body, I blinked. Shook my head. Nope, still there. I guess Morevvs had more than one alien quality. A forked tongueand a doubled-p.r.o.nged p.e.n.i.s. Two p.e.n.i.ses, of all things.

As Romeo stood naked at the edge of the bed, the mayor moaned and thrashed liked she'd just entered the corridors of paradise. I noticed the Morevv remained unaroused. He had to close his eyes and stroke himself to achieve a (double) erection.

Being inside the closet as I was, I yearned to jab out my eyes and cut off my ears. These memories were going to haunt me. If only the closet door wasn't slatted.

"Ride me, my stallion," Mayor Jeffries cried. "Ride me hard. Just like you know I like it."

"No talking, woman," he growled. He slapped her a.s.s, only a mild tap, really. "I'm in charge here."

She moaned with rapture.

He slapped her again, harder this time.

Though he would never have admitted it aloud, I think he was turned off by her enjoyment. I wouldn't have doubted if this was how Romeo raped the others. Chained them to a bed, and let them see his goods.

"Now you're mine." The words held no hint of possessiveness. No, they sounded rehea.r.s.ed. He climbed up the bed and slammed into the mayor. That brought forth another round of moans from her. Thankfully, only five minutes pa.s.sed before the Morevv stallion finished his ride. Well, before his bedmate finished, that is. Her entire body convulsed in o.r.g.a.s.m. With his features drawn tight, the alien hefted himself off her, even though it was obvious he hadn't come.

He untied the sated woman and said, "Did you like that, sweet?"

"You know I did. Maybe...maybe do it even harder next time," she whispered, almost as if she were ashamed by her desire.