Gently, she stroked his brow, his hair. How had she grown to love him so dearly in such a short time? It was almost as if they had been destined to be together, as if Fate, realizing Her mistake in having them born on separate planets, had sought to rectify that error by bringing Micah to Earth. It sounded bizarre, even to Lainey's wild imagination, and yet the pieces all fell into place so neatly - her going out to the old Grayson place, her car refusing to start, the storm that had compelled her to take shelter inside the mansion.
She gazed at Micah, studying his profile, loving the strong, masculine planes and angles of his face, the sensual shape of his lips, the line of his jaw. His brows were thick without being bushy, his nose was long and straight, his cheekbones high and well defined. He was, she thought, nothing short of perfect.
"Lainey..."
"I'm here."
"Maybe you should leave. You're in danger as long as you stay with me."
"I'm not going anywhere, mister, so just put that idea right out of your mind."
His eyelids fluttered open and he gazed up at her, his silver-blue eyes bright with amusement. "Are all Earth women as stubborn as you?"
"Not all."
Lifting one hand, Micah cupped her cheek. "Looks like I owe you my life once again," he murmured.
"You don't owe me anything."
"I don't mind." His fingertips trailed down her cheek, and then he let his hand fall, as if he didn't have the strength to hold it up any longer. "Whatever happens. Lainey, I'm glad I met you."
"Nothing's going to happen."
He smiled at her for a long moment, wishing he was as sure of that as she was, and then his eyelids fluttered down and he was asleep.
He woke to find Lainey lying beside him, her head pillowed on his shoulder. How beautiful she was, this brave Earth woman. She had put her own life at risk to save his, not once, but twice.
Lying there, careful not to move lest he awaken her, he took stock of how he was feeling. His mind was clear, and except for a slight ache in his right arm, he felt strong. Turning his head to the side, he focused his energy on a glass of water sitting on the small table beside the bed. In a matter of seconds, the water started to boil and he glanced away, satisfied that his power had returned.
He would have to leave her soon, he thought sadly. The three men who had captured him would be searching for him. Scientists, whether human or Xanthian, were all the same, eager to explore the unknown, to poke and prod and examine every new specimen they encountered, whether that specimen was humanoid, animal, or mineral. As much as he loved Lainey, he could not stay here and put her life at risk. She thought they were safe, but he didn't share her optimism. Tomorrow, or the next day for sure, he would activate the distress signal, alerting Pergith to his whereabouts. Surely another day or two with Lainey wasn't too much to ask.
Lainey stirred beside him, her head burrowing deeper into his shoulder as she snuggled up against him, driving everything else from his mind but the supple curves of the woman beside him. The scent of her hair and skin wrapped around him, evoking memories of the many nights they had made love. The first time they had been intimate had been an experience unlike anything he had ever imagined. At the time, he had been certain nothing in his life would ever be more satisfying and yet, each time he had made love to her had been better than the last.
And he wanted her now. Desperately. Needed to feel her closeness, needed her sweetness to banish the feeling that he was utterly alone in a strange land.
In his mind, he whispered her name.
"I want you, too," replied a sleepy voice.
"Lainey, I didn't mean to wake you."
She smiled up at him, her brown eyes glowing with amusement. "Didn't you?"
"Maybe I did."
She stroked his cheek with her forefinger, then drew it lightly over his lower lip.
"I don't have to ask what's on your mind," she said, grinning broadly. "Your thoughts are coming through loud and clear."
"Is it all right?"
She couldn't help laughing. They'd made love countless times in the last few weeks, and he still felt the need to ask her permission. It was sweet, somehow, that he never took her for