She scrambled through the garden, feeling her way out to the beach, where the first rays of light came into view over the horizon. "Finally!"
She reached the neighbor's property where Luis resided in a tiny guesthouse, and pounded on the door. "Luis! Luis!" He'd likely just gone to bed. "Despierta!"
Luis opened the door, groggy with sleep. "Sí?"
She explained how she'd caught the intruder, and Luis immediately went for his handcuffs, baton, pepper spray, and flashlight.
"Voy a asegurar que no se escapa la rata. Usted, se queda aca. Entiende?" he said.
Hell, yeah, she was staying put! She wasn't about to go anywhere near her house until the pervy, nudist muscleman was detained.
She nodded and watched Luis charge off toward her house, but only several minutes passed before he returned.
"Señorita Ashli!" Luis wiped his sweaty brow and bent over to catch his breath. "No hay nadie."
What? No one? Of course he was there. He had to be. "Lo dejé amarrado a mi árbol," she explained.
Luis looked at her as if she were mad and then assured her he found no man, woman, child, donkey, or otherwise tied to her palm tree.
How could he have already gotten away? Ugh! That pervyworkoutbastard! She stormed toward her house, Luis on her tail, but he was right. When she got to her garden, there was no one there. She scratched her head. Now what would she do? The man had gotten away. What if he came back? What if he came after her again?
"I guess it's time for that dog."
Bloody deity infernum! Máax's head throbbed with a pain so severe it reminded him of the time he'd accidentally been stepped on by Cimil's unicorn. Giant fucking thing thought it was some sort of lapdog but weighed the same as an elephant.
So what had that bloody woman hit him with? A garbage truck? No way was that a simple shovel.
In any case, it knocked a few of his marbles loose because he didn't recall freeing himself or making his way inside her house. But he had. In fact, he'd made it to her bed, and now Ashli lay beside him, sound asleep. How long had he been out, and how the hell had she fallen asleep without noticing a very large man in her bed?
Because you're invisible and were lucky enough to pass out on the side of the bed she doesn't use.
Carefully, he edged off the bed, trying not to disturb her. Ashli rolled over and flung her arm over his chest.
Deorum inferorum. Máax sucked in a deep breath.
"You smell so good," she mumbled.
She talks in her sleep? For some reason he found that adorable.
"What cologne is that?" she added.
His natural scent. All gods produced a pleasing aromatic cocktail of pheromones. He supposed it was nature's subtle way of disarming humans, making it less likely for them to freak out and realize they were in the presence of something not quite human.
Ironically, he felt like the one being lulled by Ashli's scent. He'd never smelled a more enticing fragrance: tropical flowers mixed with a slight hint of those roasted chili peppers from her kitchen and fresh ocean air. Gods, the scent was just as exotic as the woman. Add to that, Ashli seemed to enjoy the ocean, his passion, as much as he did. If he could live his entire existence on the beach, he would. The air, the tropical breeze, the soft sand … there was nothing better than swimming in the waves or surfing when the opportunity arose, though it had been a very long time. Isn't such a smart idea to surf when you're invisible. A lone surfboard, carving a wave on its own, looks a bit strange. Nor was it smart to lay next to Ashli, enjoy the warmth of her touch while sniffing her hair, or allow himself to grow extremely aroused. Which he had.
Idiot. What was the point? So he could remind himself what he was missing out on? Once this was all over, which it would be because he never failed, they'd both move on. Him to some cold, dark tomb probably buried somewhere in a remote swamp where no one would find him for a million years. And Ashli-she would find some nice human to spend her mortal days with.
Or perhaps one of your brothers. After all, Cimil prophesied that twenty years from now, Ashli would broker peace between his brethren. That meant she'd meet them all. And Ashli was a catch, not to mention the one person on the planet destined to save them all. How? He had no clue. Yes, clearly the woman had her attributes-sexy as hell attributes-but aside from that, she seemed quite normal. Nevertheless, being savior of the planet would grant her instant celebrity status and boatloads of attention. She'd have men lining up around the block.
He balled his fists, then let go. All for the best. Because he didn't want her. Much. And he certainly didn't need the distractions; this was one mission he couldn't afford to fail.
He sighed and Ashli flinched. Máax lifted his head, ready to make a mad dash from the room if she woke up, but found himself entranced. Her plump lips and golden skin; her dark lashes, fanning along the crease of her catlike eyes; her hair a wild mass of thick black curls. He had no idea of her heritage, but never had there been a more seductive female in existence.
His eyes swept down the length of her small athletic frame covered only in a flimsy white sundress. Next to his large body, Ashli appeared more petite than she really was.
An urge to dominate her, to take her right there, sparked.
Or perhaps you'd enjoy the opposite. Yes, he'd enjoy the feel of her lithe, lean figure straddling him, riding his cock.
Hell, man. That's enough, you horny bastard.
"Fuck this," he hissed and slipped quickly from the bed before he did something he regretted. Like kiss her.
Or motorboat her.
You randy bastard.
He needed to go for a swim. Yes, the ocean water would cool him down. The ocean always made him feel better, like being home.
Ashli's eyes flew open when a gust of wind blew through the house. She sat up quickly, her eyes scanning the room, ears listening for any sounds. In the shadows of her mind, she feared the intruder would return. Had he?
She tensed, continuing to listen.
Nothing.
Perhaps she'd dreamed it.
She ran her hands over her tangled curls. With all the commotion this morning, she'd called Fernando to open the café. Then, while Luis handled things with the police, her head had begun spinning from the adrenaline, and she needed a moment to calm down. She'd crawled into bed but clearly dozed off, which was a stupid move considering the situation. She should've been on her guard, sharpening her kitchen knives or rounding up her garden tools. Something.
What if he'd returned while she'd been napping?
You're an idiot, Ash. He's not going to show up in the middle of the day. And it was highly unlikely he'd come right back after he'd escaped only hours ago. That wouldn't be logical. No.
She did, however, need to think about what to do tonight. She couldn't stay in the house alone, could she?
You're not letting some asshole run you from your home, Ash. What if they never catch him? Are you going to stay away forever? She'd need to pay Luis a little extra for a while and have him keep a closer eye on her house. And she'd start asking around immediately if anyone had puppies for adoption. Yes, and she'd stop by the hardware store and buy a couple more shovels.
That bastard comes anywhere near me, he'll get another taste of Mary's lamb! Thank goodness she'd left her giant shovel propped against the palm tree.
She slipped from bed and made her way down the hall, through the living room into her kitchen, feeling groggy as hell. The back door leading to the beach had been left unlocked. Hadn't she locked it? Then she noticed that scent again. It was sweet and spicy; she couldn't put her finger on it. Where the heck was it coming from?
She sniffed her way back into the living room. Chills spread over her body when the smell became stronger with each step closer to her bedroom.
"Santa Maria." She stared at the giant indentation left on her bed next to where she'd been lying. She picked up the pillow and inhaled. The potent scent permeated her brain.
Wow. That smells so amaz-
Wait.
Her heart raced and a surge of icy, cold tingles violently exploded over her body. The dream. This was his smell from the dream.
Unable to hold her own weight, she sat on the bed hugging the pillow.
"Crap." It wasn't a man who'd been in her house. It was … Death.
He's finally come for you, Ash. Just like you dreamed he would.
Shockingly, a dark, dark piece of her welcomed him.
Seven
The moment Máax submersed his body into the tepid, salty waves, that tightness in his chest and that carnal longing eased just enough to allow him to think again.