Refusing to be cowed, Idola met his gaze and smiled. “I saw you kissing Kayli.”
He drew up short, assessing her as he would an insect. “So?”
“Not just kissing,” she purred, determined to break through this wall of indifference. “But . . . somehow more.” He’d held Kayli with so much possession, kissed her with such heated passion.
She shivered.
Seeing Michael that way—despite the fact that her sister had been the focus of his attentions—had stirred something deep inside Idola, something forbidden and exciting.
He stood before her now, so tall that he blocked the sun, making her feel very small and vulnerable. Very womanly.
“You’re into voyeurism, huh?” His tone mocked her. “Not nice, Idola.”
The insult didn’t faze her. Unable to help herself, she put one hand to his chest and wanted to melt at the incredible heat and inflexible strength. He was like a human time capsule, a dangerous caveman, a brute—but oh so sexy.
His blue eyes flashed amusement. “I’m starting to feel like a Thanksgiving dinner here.”
Her tongue came out to moisten her lips. “My apologies, sir, it’s just that . . . you are
so
big.”
“Yeah, you mentioned that already.” He caught her wrist and moved her hand away, down to her side, then released her. “So are we going to see the Great Oz or what?”
Not understanding him, still unsettled by the dominating potency of him, Idola tilted her head. “The Great Oz?”
Solid arms crossed over that substantial chest. “Your mother.”
Her rapt gaze went to his bulging biceps, and she shivered deep inside herself. He could easily break them all, and instead of frightening her, it sent delicious heat swirling throughout her.
“Yes, of course.” Trembling inside, filled with anticipation, she gestured to her aircycle. “This way, please. I’ll take you to her.”
He held back with a look of distaste. “I’d prefer to walk.” He sounded very inflexible.
“Oh, but . . . That would take far too long.” She wanted him wrapped around her. She wanted to feel his body against hers. So forbidden, and yet so delectable.
He remained indecisive for a heartbeat before giving in with ill grace. “Fine. But let’s make it fast.” And then under his breath, “I’m definitely going to learn to drive one of these contraptions.”
Idola seated herself first and then waited, her breath bated, her skin tingling with eagerness.
She’d spied on him since he’d wandered from the center of the colony. She’d seen his expression of pleasure when Kayli joined him, and she’d watched as he’d wrapped his strong arms around her on the aircycle, holding her as a lover might.
He’d pawed Kayli with his big hands, hugged her within the circle of his arms, even smelled her hair.
Yet now, he managed to sit without touching her, and Idola’s disappointment was extreme. She was unused to seeking out attention; it usually came her way as the normal course of things. She could be bold when pushed, but it wasn’t natural for her.
“Michael, sir?”
“What?” He leaned back, his hands braced behind him on the seat, his legs kept wide so that his thighs wouldn’t close on hers.
And he didn’t request a lack of formality, the way he had with Kayli. He let her address him as “sir” without protest.
Irritation edged in, diluting her desire.
“You need to hold on.” Her heart fluttered. “To me—or else you might fall. You’re far too valuable to our colony for me to risk any injury against you.”
“I’m fine. Get it going.”
Obstinate man. “I don’t understand you.” Perhaps he needed more direction. Perhaps he didn’t understand her esteemed position within the colony. “You do realize that everyone wants me?”
His laugh was coarse and mean. “Not everyone, dollface, because I don’t.”
Even the endearment reeked of contempt. “But I get sent to the council, and to the Cosmos Confederation meetings, and one day I’ll be the one to carry on the family name in a very prized union.”
“All that, huh? Well, aren’t you special?”
“Yes.” Thinking she at last had his attention, Idola added, “I have my pick of suitors.”
“I see.” With insulting amusement, he asked, “Then why are you hitting on me?”
“Hitting on you?”
“Flirting. Flinging around the inviting looks. Coming on to me.”
Curse the man, she got his meaning. Why
did
her mother want her to engage him? He was beyond impossible, and not in the least bit suitable to her rank. Being honest, Idola said, “I’m not really sure.”
“Twit,” he muttered, only half under his breath.
She gasped and twisted around to see him. “Is that an insult?”
He rolled his eyes. “Just drive, okay? I want to check on Kayli.”
Seeing no hope for it, Idola straightened and pulled the cycle forward. She tried speeding, but maneuvering on the aircycle wasn’t her forte and she was as likely to dump herself as him, so she slowed again, resigned to losing this round.
But it burned her pride, so much so that she had to point out the obvious. “Kayli does not require your assistance.”
“She gets it anyway.”
Idola narrowed her eyes in frustration. “She’s as capable as most men, you realize. Strong and fast. She has the physique of a—”
“Hottie.”
The way he said that, with a growling purr, left no misunderstanding on his meaning. Aghast at his lack of decorum, she breathed, “Excuse me?”
“She’s a real babe.”
Now
he leaned forward to speak in her ear. “Sexy, sensual, and all woman. She’s so damn gorgeous that I can barely keep my hands off her. It’s only my respect for her that keeps me in line.” She felt his smile. “No other woman compares. Not even close.”
Idola felt mortified heat flood over her skin. No one had ever dared to insult her so throughly, to speak to her in such an improper way. “You are not yet in union,” she reminded him.
With a shrug in his tone, he said, “Yeah, it’s a tough time. Lots of shit going on.” Then he leaned forward again, his breath hot, his body hotter. “But it will happen, Idola, take my word on that. You’d be wise to stop shooting barbs against her. They only piss me off, and lady, that’s something you don’t want to do.”
The threat didn’t alarm her. Kayli would never bring such a beast into their midst, someone who would physically injure the women. Besides, Idola’s position in the colony made any insult to her very foolhardy. The reprimands for such an offense were swift and severe.
But she didn’t want to continue to suffer his insults, either. She’d have to be more subtle in her efforts. Because she doubted they’d work, despite her mother’s encouragement, she decided once she delivered him to her mother, she would try her best never to see him again.
MALLET was still irked when Idola ended their snail’space journey at the grand entrance to the reception hall. At the top of the steps, beneath an ornate portico, Raemay waited.
The slow ride back to the center of the colony had been excruciating. Again and again, Idola had come on to him, reaching back to touch him—and once almost crashing because of it. She’d smiled at him, scooted back against him, and attempted to insult Kayli in the subtle but catty way of jealous women everywhere.
Apparently, she hadn’t taken his warnings to heart, and he wasn’t a man who hurt women, which left him with only a cold shoulder to dissuade her. That had been about as effective as a frown.
Idola had a sweet, lush body and a pretty enough face, but even if she weren’t Kayli’s sister, it wouldn’t matter, not to him.
He’d made up his mind.
Stepping off the cycle the second it stopped, Mallet let his temper carry him up the steps to Raemay. Fuming, he said loud enough for her and her daughter to hear, “Don’t sic any more women on me, family or otherwise, you got that, Raemay? I don’t like it.”
Raemay slowly withdrew the hand she’d offered in greeting. Slim brows came down, creasing her forehead. “I have no idea of what you’re speaking.”
He tossed a look toward Idola, who appeared shamed in defeat. He almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
“I have no idea what you have against Kayli, but lady, I’ve had my fill of that shit, so knock it off.”
“Have against her?” Her back went straight as a flagpole. “Kayli is my daughter.”
“Yeah, I know it,” he said, more than aware of the family ties, and lack of emotion that should have been there because of them. “Do you?”
Raemay leaned into his anger. “I appointed her Claviger of our colony. As such she is held in high esteem. She—”
“Is forever doomed to be without love?”
Emotions flashed over her face in wild panic until contempt finally settled there. Giving him an insulting perusal, Raemay curled her lip. “What, sir, do
you
know of love? You barely know my daughter. She is content in her duty.”
“After she’s mine, she’ll be more than content.” That boast took Raemay back a step. Were they all prudes here? Dumb question. The look on Raemay’s face said it all.
Done debating the point, Mallet said, “Don’t send Idola after me again, not unless she can learn to keep her hands to herself.” With an evil smile of promise, he added, “If you do, I’ll put her off the cycle and return alone. Don’t doubt me.”
Raemay glanced at Idola, then waved her away. Mallet was relieved; there was no reason to insult the twit further.
After she’d sped away in a sulky temper tantrum, leaving Mallet alone with Raemay on the steps of the reception hall, Raemay folded her hands together. “Are you finished?”
He hadn’t expected her direct approach, but only shrugged. “As long as we understand each other, then yeah, I’m done.”
She nodded. “Walk with me, please.”
Unsure about this mood of hers, Mallet weighed his options. Curiosity got the best of him, and he agreed. “For a few minutes. And then I want to find Kayli.” He fell into step beside her as she descended to the street. Because he couldn’t quite keep himself from looking around in awe, he said, “You have beautiful architecture here.”
“Thank you. I’m very proud of it.”
“Designed by locals?”
“Designed and built by members of our colony, yes.”
Mallet made note of the pleasure in her face. “You’ve got some major talents here then.”
“I’m aware of that.” She pressed her lips together in thought, glanced at him, and Mallet saw her decision to share. “Our colony is set up so that everyone who can work, does. Anyone able-bodied who won’t work is sent away from the colony.”
As he was of the mind that everyone should contribute in some way, he didn’t find fault with that. “Have you lost many from that rule?”
“Very few, in fact. Most take great pride in exhibiting their talents, as you can see from the work of our craftsmen. But there are other contributions not so readily visible. Teaching, cleaning, cooking, or serving . . . everyone has a special flair if people are patient enough to find it.”
“Cleaning, as in maids?”
“The job includes both men and women, and is a valuable talent to have. Not all are organized and tidy. Not all see the necessity of cleanliness. In my colony, all contributions are valued.”
He found no fault in that reasoning, either, so he walked on with her in silence.
The heartbeat of the colony boasted elaborate buildings, beside more functional structures, beside more humble abodes. It was an eclectic mix that probably worked against exclusivity and social classes. “What about those who can’t work?”
“We only have a few. Even those injured beyond repair are capable of contributing in some way, be it supervision or advising. Those who can not are cared for by their family, neighbors, and the community as a whole.”
She glanced up at him, and again, despite the difference in coloring, Mallet saw the same beauty in her that he saw in Kayli. She was older, but she still had a youthful appearance and grace.
If she wasn’t such a witch, she’d probably have more than her fair share of men chasing her.
“We all work together,” she said, unaware of his scrutiny, “to ensure the health, well-being, and safety of our people.”
Sounded good to him—to the point of being idealistic. “One of your rules?”
She gave an arrogant lift of her chin. “One of my policies, yes.”
So maybe she wasn’t all bad. Not that he was ready to forgive and forget yet, not after she’d sent Idola after him with the purpose of blowing his union with Kayli. And he knew it was Raemay behind that brazen stunt. For whatever reason, she didn’t like the idea of Kayli settling down with him.
But because Kayli’s life would be easier if they could get along, he would give her mother a chance to redeem herself in his eyes.
If
she could convince him that she truly cared for Kayli and had her well-being as a priority.
He looked up at the bright sun, the vivid blue sky, and the occasional fluffy white cloud. “The day is getting away from us.” He wanted to see Kayli, to know she was okay, to assist her and . . . just be with her.
He didn’t like that they’d separated as they had. That last kiss . . . she’d singed his eyeballs with her enthusiasm. But then he’d seen the shame she felt when Idola busted them, and knew the moment was forever spoiled for her.
He needed to be with her, to talk, to explain.
Okay, so he wanted to more than talk with her. A lot more. He’d force himself to be patient, until Kayli wanted the same.
Raemay led him to the shelter of a tall tree. The broad, waxy leaves provided plenty of shade. “She won’t appreciate your hovering, or your interference with her duties.”
Mallet leaned back on the tree. On a neatly groomed acre of land, he saw a three-story house more elaborate than the others. Rather than the stark white of so many of the buildings, it boasted a warm toast color with dark red trim. When Raemay noticed the direction he looked, she looked, too.