quickly it was almost funny. Too bad Tarq didn’t feel like laughing.
He didn’t feel like fucking, either—another rare occurrence. Tarq thanked Rallene for her hospitality and left. With nowhere else to go, he went back to his hotel and lay down on the bed. The setting was serene enough to have calmed anyone—patterns of sunlight adorned the walls, a soothing ocean breeze wafted in through the open casement while rhythmic waves lapped the shore and sea birds called to their mates—but Tarq seemed to be immune.
There was a perfectly good explanation for his current state, but Tarq refused to acknowledge it because it would have meant the end of the only useful occupation he’d ever had. Others might have assumed he was only spreading his seed for the pleasure he derived from the females he serviced, but it was much more than that. It was his calling; it gave him purpose. Without the ability to sire offspring, Tarq would be completely lost.
He’d lied when he’d told Rallene about the “other client.” He should have been with Lucy that night, but giving her time slot to someone else felt wrong. He didn’t know why. Part of him wanted to go to her anyway, but she’d made it very clear that another night with him would have been too much of a risk. Tarq was willing to take that risk, but he wasn’t the one who had to live with Lucy’s father.
Of course, there was a way around all of that. Lucy was a grown woman. She didn’t have to remain with her family. Tarq had already provided her with money, and he could just as easily give her a ride to any place she chose, which would give him even more time with her.
Or you could ask her to be your mate .
In Tarq’s eyes, it was the perfect solution, though the possibility that Lucy might reject him because of his past was a genuine concern—aside from the fact that she’d only met him two days ago. She was a lot smarter than he was, too. She might not want to be stuck with a man who couldn’t read. Still, he was already kicking himself for not thinking of it sooner—for not asking her, at least giving her the opportunity to choose. Her refusal would destroy his hopes on several fronts, but at least he wouldn’t have that unanswered question plaguing him forever.
Lying there thinking about it wasn’t going to solve anything. With a sigh, he got to his feet and changed into running shorts and went out on the beach. He ran until he was exhausted and completely out of sight of the town. Then he swam back. The tide was against him, delaying his return. When he finally crossed the beach to return to his room, the sun was setting. He hadn’t eaten since lunchtime, but wasn’t the slightest bit hungry. Thirsty, yes, but not for wine. He wanted Lucy.
Darkness fell, but sleep eluded him. Sitting out on the balcony gazing at the stars didn’t help; he was too restless. A walk along the shore soon became a stroll through the dark streets of the town. When he reached Lucy’s dark, uninviting window, he realized where he’d been headed all along. Tapping on the glass, he waited, but there was no response. Either she didn’t want to see him, or she was sleeping too soundly to hear his knock. It didn’t matter which was true; the end result was the same.
The last time Tarq had felt this alone, he’d been traveling through the forest after the massacre of his family. When had Lucy become as much a part of his life as his parents, his siblings? He’d only known her for two days. How was it possible?
Dawn was breaking when he returned to his room. He showered methodically and dressed. The café would be open soon and he would see Lucy again—whether she would talk to him or not.
***
Tarq heard Lucy’s father shouting as soon as he walked through the doorway.
“What the devil do you mean, she’s not here?”
“I mean she’s not here, Uther,” the Twilanan replied. “Had to unlock the door myself this morning. Good thing I’ve got a key.”
Tarq had
He didn’t feel like fucking, either—another rare occurrence. Tarq thanked Rallene for her hospitality and left. With nowhere else to go, he went back to his hotel and lay down on the bed. The setting was serene enough to have calmed anyone—patterns of sunlight adorned the walls, a soothing ocean breeze wafted in through the open casement while rhythmic waves lapped the shore and sea birds called to their mates—but Tarq seemed to be immune.
There was a perfectly good explanation for his current state, but Tarq refused to acknowledge it because it would have meant the end of the only useful occupation he’d ever had. Others might have assumed he was only spreading his seed for the pleasure he derived from the females he serviced, but it was much more than that. It was his calling; it gave him purpose. Without the ability to sire offspring, Tarq would be completely lost.
He’d lied when he’d told Rallene about the “other client.” He should have been with Lucy that night, but giving her time slot to someone else felt wrong. He didn’t know why. Part of him wanted to go to her anyway, but she’d made it very clear that another night with him would have been too much of a risk. Tarq was willing to take that risk, but he wasn’t the one who had to live with Lucy’s father.
Of course, there was a way around all of that. Lucy was a grown woman. She didn’t have to remain with her family. Tarq had already provided her with money, and he could just as easily give her a ride to any place she chose, which would give him even more time with her.
Or you could ask her to be your mate .
In Tarq’s eyes, it was the perfect solution, though the possibility that Lucy might reject him because of his past was a genuine concern—aside from the fact that she’d only met him two days ago. She was a lot smarter than he was, too. She might not want to be stuck with a man who couldn’t read. Still, he was already kicking himself for not thinking of it sooner—for not asking her, at least giving her the opportunity to choose. Her refusal would destroy his hopes on several fronts, but at least he wouldn’t have that unanswered question plaguing him forever.
Lying there thinking about it wasn’t going to solve anything. With a sigh, he got to his feet and changed into running shorts and went out on the beach. He ran until he was exhausted and completely out of sight of the town. Then he swam back. The tide was against him, delaying his return. When he finally crossed the beach to return to his room, the sun was setting. He hadn’t eaten since lunchtime, but wasn’t the slightest bit hungry. Thirsty, yes, but not for wine. He wanted Lucy.
Darkness fell, but sleep eluded him. Sitting out on the balcony gazing at the stars didn’t help; he was too restless. A walk along the shore soon became a stroll through the dark streets of the town. When he reached Lucy’s dark, uninviting window, he realized where he’d been headed all along. Tapping on the glass, he waited, but there was no response. Either she didn’t want to see him, or she was sleeping too soundly to hear his knock. It didn’t matter which was true; the end result was the same.
The last time Tarq had felt this alone, he’d been traveling through the forest after the massacre of his family. When had Lucy become as much a part of his life as his parents, his siblings? He’d only known her for two days. How was it possible?
Dawn was breaking when he returned to his room. He showered methodically and dressed. The café would be open soon and he would see Lucy again—whether she would talk to him or not.
***
Tarq heard Lucy’s father shouting as soon as he walked through the doorway.
“What the devil do you mean, she’s not here?”
“I mean she’s not here, Uther,” the Twilanan replied. “Had to unlock the door myself this morning. Good thing I’ve got a key.”
Tarq had
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