Teasing him.
Tantalizing him.
Tempting him.
He waited her out. Until her confusing chatter stopped and she rubbed her temples with her fingers.
“Sorry. I’m good.”
When a beep sounded, she got up and went to the stove. She took out a square container that had golden brown biscuits on the top. His stomach rumbled in anticipation.
“I hope this will do.” She placed the dish on the trivet then removed the tray of biscuits. “Leftovers.” With a spoon, she stirred the noodles and sauce then served him some. Once his plate was full, she put some on her own.
Ta-Mara sat only to bounce back up and hurry to the refrigerator—which he was used to, being in the brewery trade—and return with salad.
“Help yourself.”
She sat for a few more minutes then went to get up again and he reached to grip her forearm. “Sit. Eat.”
Fire burned his fingertips as he touched her. He couldn’t recall anytime he’d wanted to kiss someone so much before—not even Calliope—and that bothered him. She had been the one for him.
Right?
Another woman shouldn’t be affecting him this way.
Should she?
Conflicted beyond belief, he released her arm and put his gaze on her. “You need to eat.”
Ta-Mara nodded before lifting her fork and doing just that. They passed the meal in silence, each looking at one another only to look away and pretend it hadn’t happened.
“This stuff,” he began, wishing to converse with her. “What do you call it?”
“Technology?”
He frowned slightly. He knew the word, although his understanding didn’t match what she referred to. “That thing you had in your hand at your shop. What was that?”
“My cell phone.” She gave him a grin and got up from the table. When she returned, she set it before him.
He slid his plate to the side and stared at the item. “May I?”
She nodded and returned to her seat. Intrigued, he began pushing buttons and looking at the screen.
“Cell phone?”
“So I can call people, even if I’m not in the house and don’t have access to my telephone.”
Telephone, he knew that word. Used to signal from ship to ship—or musical notes.
“You talk to people on this?”
How is this possible?
“Yes.” She took it from him and pressed a few buttons. A ringing sound filled the room and he sat riveted in his chair.
“Hello?” a deep voice came through it.
“Richard, sorry to bother you. Just wanted to make sure you survived the power outages.”
“No bother, sweets. I’m fine. How was work today?”
“Not bad. Look, I have to run, just wanted to check in.”
“Talk to you later. Bye.”
Ta-Mara pressed another button and the room fell silent.
Levi wasn’t sure what to think. This was unlike anything he’d ever seen before. She gave a small laugh.
“What?”
“If you think this is odd, I can’t wait to see what you do with the computer, television and more.”
His head throbbed and he winced. Immediately her expression morphed into one of concern.
“Are you okay? Headache?”
“Yes. I am sorry. I think it has been a bit overwhelming.”
She got to her feet. “Come on.”
He stared at the dishes.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get them. I’d just prefer you not pass out down here.”
Together they walked from the kitchen up the stairs to the room she’d taken him to before. He watched silently as she gave him a quick show of where things were if he needed more blankets or anything like that.
“I’ll see you in the morning, then,” she said.
He reached out to stop her and she paused, her large eyes waiting for him.
“Thank you.”
She squeezed his arm. “We’ll figure this out come morning. Sleep as late as you like. I’ll be up early, but it’s my day off so I have some things to attend around here. Good night, Levi. Sleep well.” One final squeeze then she left.
With a deep breath, he looked around the room. Thick area rugs of silvered gold covered the floor. A large bed beckoned him, draped in an auburn comforter. Ta-Mara had drawn it back for him and he could see sheets and blankets beneath it—sea mist and champagne. Numerous pillows awaited his head and he yawned, exhaustion swarming him.
He stripped out of his borrowed clothing and slid beneath the sheets. Like silk along his skin, he groaned in pure pleasure. Reaching out, he touched the bedside lamp and the room sank into darkness.
It wasn’t silent—he could hear some noises he couldn’t identify—but his tired body gave in to the lure that beckoned him. Sleep claimed him swiftly.
* * * *
Sun upon his face woke him. He cautiously opened his eyes and found it hadn’t been a dream. Shafts of golden light poured past the curtains with a warm, welcoming glow. He sat up and realized he felt much better—the headache had gone.
After swinging from the bed, he padded to the bathroom and turned on the light. Sitting on the sink was something that hadn’t been there before. He frowned and picked it up, reading the container. Shaving cream.
He almost went to ask her then shook his head.
I can figure this out.
So he read the instructions and soon had the cream lathered up on his face. With care, he got to work. It didn’t take him long to get the hang of it.
Cleaning up after, he stared at his reflection. Would she like him better this way? Shaking away that thought, he took care of his needs then went back to dress. More clothing had been set on a chair by the window. She must have come in while he was sleeping. But why?
After he dressed, he tidied up and hastened down the steps. He paused when he saw the clock. It was after ten in the morning. He
never
slept that long.
“Ta-Mara?” he called out.
There was no answer. He walked through the house and paused when he reached the living room. Staring out of one of the three doors leading both to the screened porch and the family room, he spied her in the backyard. He strolled closer and just watched her for a moment.
More of those scandalously short pants and a shirt with no sleeves graced her body as she knelt and worked in her garden. Her hair was piled up with some wisps around her face. He pushed out of the door and she looked up when it shut behind him.
“Morning,” she said, getting to her feet.
Lust hit him hard. The shirt wasn’t just sleeveless, it also left her belly bared to his hungry gaze. He was in trouble with this one. He moved down three of the steps.
“Hi.”
“I didn’t wake you, did I?” She wiped her hands off on the blue material covering part of her thighs.
“No.”
“How are you feeling?”
Hot and aroused
. Desperate to feel her lips on his, her curves under his hands, her taste mixing with his. “Fine, thank you.”
“Let me get you some breakfast then we can decide what to do.” She flashed him another grin and walked by.
Pivoting around, he stared at her ass as she made her way up the steps by him.
Yes, trouble.
As she passed him, Ta-Mara could sense his gaze on her and need pooled in her belly, making her want to turn around, grab him and kiss him senseless. All that stopped her was that she didn’t know if she was ready for what would happen should she take the initiative. Levi, from what he’d said and his lack of knowledge of things, seemed to be not from this time. Getting involved with him was a bad idea. Ta-Mara had no idea why he was even here, or for how long. The
how long
was what stopped her.
She reached the porch and Levi’s sure steps came behind her. A slight moan made her turn and she watched, helpless, as Levi collapsed. Ta-Mara’s heart leaped in her chest as she stepped to him before dropping to her knees.
“Levi!” She touched his neck, feeling for his pulse. Relief filled her as it beat steadily against her fingers.
She smoothed his hair away from his face, again taken with how handsome he was. Ta-Mara didn’t know what had made him pass out but now she knew she definitely had to get him to the hospital. She rose and ran inside to get her cell before coming back and kneeling by his side.
Ta-Mara went to dial then lowered the phone. “Damn, I can’t take him to the emergency room.”
Levi had no identification and there would be lots of questions the doctor would ask that she didn’t have any answers to. Even if Levi woke, she could only imagine his reaction being surrounded by the wonders of modern medicine. Her brow furrowed as she thought about how she could get him help. When it dawned on her, she sent a text and, moments later when the replies came, she blew out a relieved breath. Ta-Mara put her cell in her pocket then sat and watched Levi. His chest rose, slow and steady.
She looked up at the sound of a car pulling in then rose and went to stand overlooking the steps. She spotted another vehicle pulling in behind the first. The drivers exited their vehicles and came around them then stopped greeting each other before coming toward Ta-Mara.
“Thanks for coming, guys.” Ta-Mara bit her lip and debated if she should say more.
“When you get a text from your friend saying ‘I need help’, you drop everything and come.” Rachel came up the steps.
“What’s wrong?” Heather followed with a frown on her face.
“I—”
“Damn, Ta-Mara, who did you kill?” Rachel stopped on the porch beside her and stared at Levi, still sprawled on the porch.
“Hush, Rachel.” Heather glanced around anxiously. “We need to help her hide the body.”
Ta-Mara stared at her in shock. Heather was the quieter of them and the most level-headed.
“Why are you standing there, Ta-Mara?” Heather went to step past her. “Grab his legs, Rachel.”
“Okay.” Rachel took a step.
Ta-Mara grabbed an arm for each of her friends to stop them. “He’s alive.”
“Oh…” Heather frowned then it cleared. “Oh, you need us to be an alibi because you knocked him out.”
“I can give her one. She was at the bar with me helping me stock all day.” Rachel offered.
“You were at home, so that’s not plausible,” Heather said. “Let’s go with instead she was with us both at your place hanging out.”
“Ladies.” Ta-Mara stifled a laugh. “I didn’t ask you here for this either.”
“Then why are we here, if not to hide the body or give you an alibi.” Rachel frowned.
“I wanted Heather to check him over because I can’t take him to the hospital.” Ta-Mara shrugged. “I know it’s your day off, but can you—?”
“Sure.” Heather went over and knelt beside Levi.
Heather was a doctor at the emergency room. Ta-Mara looked on, hoping he was okay.
“Who is he and why is he here?”
“Levi. He’s—” Ta-Mara didn’t know what to say or how to explain.
“Is sexy as hell.” Rachel put her arm into the crook of Ta-Mara’s elbow. “I noticed you evaded answering my question. Spill. You know you will.”
Stalling for time to come up with something so she didn’t sound crazy, Ta-Mara pushed against Rachel’s shoulder.
“How could you all believe I would ask you to help me hide a body if I killed someone? Or, hell, give me an alibi for hitting him.”
“You didn’t ask.” Heather replied from where she was by Levi. “And we’d do it because you’re our girl. If you need help to hide a body, we’re there for you.”
“Or if you need an alibi for hitting him too. Hell, if you called from jail, I wouldn’t even ask what you did. I’d just get bail money and come get you,” Rachel said, firmly squeezing her hand.
“You do know you all are crazy, right?” Ta-Mara looked between the two women.
“Right back atcha. That’s what makes us such good friends.” Rachel laughed.
“We’re all nutty as fruitcake,” Heather said as she sat back. “He’s a little dehydrated and thin—” She touched his throat. “Who tried to strangle him?”
“Why is he passed out and hasn’t stirred?” Ta-Mara asked.
“He’s not over his swoon.” Heather rose. “He has the injury on his head but he doesn’t have a concussion. If he did, no matter if you wanted him to go to the hospital or not, we’d have to take him.” She came to Ta-Mara and stared at her. “Now, tell us what is going on.”
“You’re gonna think I
am
crazy.”
“We already established we all are.” Rachel pressed against her. “So tell us already.
Ta-Mara took a breath then told them what she suspected. Levi was the man she’d read about in her book and he had come to this time for some reason. Her friends knew of the story, since she read it so often and had told them about it. She also added what had happened in the bookstore when he’d appeared, and how he’d reacted to things. When she was finished speaking, Ta-Mara waited for her friends to respond. They just stared at her.
“Say something.” Ta-Mara couldn’t stand the silence.
“I’m just trying to figure out why you’re so calm about this,” Rachel said.
“Because I figure I hit my head and am lying unconscious in the store and no one’s found me yet.” Ta-Mara smiled wryly. “This is a really vivid dream and when I wake up, I’ll share it with both of you and have a laugh.”
Heather narrowed her eyes then, deliberately slowly, reached out then pinched her.
“Ow.” Ta-Mara swatted at her hand. “Why’d you do that for?”
“Just so you can know you
are
awake,” Heather replied solemnly then grinned. “You’re not asleep, sweetie. We’re all very awake.”
“And you seem to believe me.” Ta-Mara wondered why they would.
“I have no idea what to believe.” Rachel shrugged. “Weird shit happens that folks can’t explain all the time. I’ve never met anyone who had a time travel encounter, but hey, who am I to judge?”
“I trust you, and if that is what you believe, I’m going to go along with it for now.” Heather patted her shoulder. “I won’t even have you committed for being crazy.”
Ta-Mara heard the teasing in her tone so she laughed and they joined her. She pulled Heather to her, and her friends on either side hugged her.
“We need to move him,” Heather said after a few moments. “Get him someplace comfortable. Let him rest.”
“Okay.” Ta-Mara bit her lip. “I had planned to take him shopping to get some clothing, since he doesn’t have anything.”