A nagging thought popped up in her mind. He’d grunted something in a language she didn’t understand last night. And he scratched her. The man was an animal in bed, literally. She wished she could consider a relationship with him, but she lived on another planet. Not to mention the last thing she wanted him to think was that she had suddenly grown attached over great sex. Sweet flutters took hold of her heart but she ignored them.
She wasn’t interested in long term with Talen. Sure he’d talked a good game and the things he’d said had made her come like never before, but she needed stability in her life. She needed a man she could count on. Talen was sexy, but that’s all she knew about him. He could be a total womanizer. Though her heart disagreed with that, she reminded herself she’d made mistakes choosing a man in the past.
Still, it would be wonderful to finally have a man ready to love her. To cherish her as she was. To give her attention and show her how much she was wanted for once in her life. Perhaps she shouldn’t close off the idea of seeing Talen again.
Who knew if he was returning to say goodbye. She held on to the thought with a wide smile and hopeful heart. She was already doing what she promised not to: giving herself ideas about a man she barely knew.
She got up, showered and dressed, ready to say goodbye to the Bella, Alyx and their babies. She would miss the beautiful loving family and their amazing world. Her place was on Earth, working with Gerri and trying to set her finances on track.
She carried her overnight bag with her down the hallway as a guy approached her. He passed, sniffing loudly and then making a face like she stunk.
She frowned and moved closer to the other wall, wondering what bothered him. Her thoughts were stopped short when someone grabbed her by the arm and turned her around.
“Hey!” she screeched instinctively, pulling out of the guy’s grasp.
The man was big, with long brown hair and angry hazel eyes. “He might have fucked you, but he’d never want a weak little human for a mate.”
She gasped, wondering what this jerk was talking about. Then she realized the guy was referring to Talen. “Who are you?”
“It doesn’t matter. Save yourself some shame and go back to your little world, human. Talen isn’t for you. He’s already got a mate. He wanted you to know.”
She gasped at the venom in the guy’s voice. Talk about angry and hurtful. She had no thoughts about wanting Talen long term. No way. No. Just no. Ah, fuck. Maybe in the time she’d showered and dressed she kind of imagined he might have liked her enough to ask her to come back and visit, but this guy killed every thought of that.
“What do you mean he’s mated?” She knew that word well from speaking with Massimo.
“Mated. As in, he belongs to another. Someone worthy of his status as leader. You are not good enough for him. He left so he won’t have to explain this to you himself, so I am here.”
Shifters used the word mated like humans used married. If Talen was married, that would explain his not being there when she woke or the lack of messages.
She drew her brows down as her anger rose. “I don’t want your friend. And he didn’t need to send you to let me down easy. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
She started marching away, fury building to the point she saw red. By the time she reached Gerri, she was glad to leave the planet. One good night of sex had been sent to hell. Why had Talen not left enough alone? He had to send a jerk to make sure she knew she’d been nothing but a booty call. What an asshole.
* * *
Cassie’s alarm clock rang in her ear. She cracked one eye open and then flipped onto her back. She was exhausted. Two days of being in bed had done nothing for her. She’d been so tired, she called in sick, telling Gerri she thought the travel had been tougher on her than she’d realized.
Her cell phone rang and she groaned. She tossed a hand at the bedside table and grabbed her cell phone, squinting at the too bright screen.
“Ivy,” she mumbled, pressing the answer button. “Ivy, what’s up?”
“You sound like death, Cassie. What’s going on?” There was worry in Ivy’s voice and if she weren’t so exhausted she might try to pacify her cousin. As it was, she had a hard enough time keeping her eyes open.
“I’m sick. I think I caught something during my travel with Gerri.” She could barely get the words out, her throat felt sandpaper dry.
“I’m in town. Uncle Ricardo wondered if you were okay since you’re not answering his calls. He’s worried about you.” Ivy snorted. “Enough that he sent me in the jet to check on you.” Ivy mumbled something and told someone who Cassie assumed was the driver to take her to Cassie’s place. “I’ll be there soon. I’m going to take care of you. Sleep. I got the keys to get in your place,” Ivy said.