9781631053283HeartsLastChanceMichaels (14 page)

“Oh my,” she gasped. “I think I agree with you. It is
getting better each time.” She eased her leg back to his waist, wincing a bit.

Brock stroked her wet hair from her forehead. “Are you
sore?”

He felt her pelvic muscles flex.
“Just a
slight muscle spasm in my leg.
You like that?”

“Very much.
Keep that up and I’ll
have you disturbing my neighbors again.” He dropped a kiss on her lips and saw
her nose wrinkle. “Need
me
to go wash?”

“No. Just don’t kiss me until later.” Brock felt her muscles
milking his cock back to life. Soon he took over, sliding in and out, gauging
her reaction and speeding up when appropriate. When they were spent, Brock
enjoyed the feel of her body tangled with his. He heard her stomach rumble, and
they laughed.

“Okay, where’s the food?” Tricia sat up, the sight of her
pert nipples made Brock’s limp cock twitch. He reached up and stroked each one,
then watched her pull away to climb off the bed and walk into the bathroom. He
heard the toilet flush and swung his legs over the side of the bed. When Tricia
emerged, he went in to clean himself up. Brock gathered up his scattered clothing
and dressed while Tricia located hers. Hand in hand, they exited the apartment
and rode the elevator to the lobby, where Brock pointed out the Mexican
Restaurant.

Over fajitas, Brock brought up the subject of her family.

“You said at our Approval Meeting something about
introducing me to your family.” He bit into a tortilla chip loaded with salsa.

“Yes. The holidays will be here soon, and I thought maybe
we’d go to my mom’s for Thanksgiving. I don’t open that day, so we could drive
up in the morning, spend the afternoon,
then
come
back. I always open early for Black Friday—”

“What is that?
A day of mourning?”
Brock broke in.

Tricia laughed and patted her mouth with her napkin. “No,
it’s the busiest shopping day in the entire year. People get up early to hit
the stores and sales for the Christmas season. And the crazy ones who camp out
overnight, well, they might get hungry or want coffee, so I send Stacy or
Trevor out with trays. It’s a very lucrative morning for us.”

Brock shook his head. “At least you provide a valuable
service to the community.”

“That I do,” she replied. “Does your family celebrate
holidays?”

“Not like you do. We celebrate
Bondings
,
Homecomings, that sort of thing. So you do not need to worry about me missing
out on anything.”

After lunch, they returned to the café and worked together
through the afternoon shift. Tricia consulted her calendar.

“Tonight is when the book group meets, so it might be a late
night.” Thunder sounded and lightening flashed.
“Looks as if
the weather’s getting worse instead of better.”

“Do you think they will show up?” Brock frowned. “You sent
everyone else home to get out of the storm. I suppose I could always teleport
you home if the weather gets too bad.”

“Brock.”
Tricia placed a hand on
his arm. “I’ve lived here my entire life. Trust
me,
I
can drive in just about anything. Besides, there’s the group leader right now.”
She went out to greet the woman shaking her dripping umbrella.

After all customers had gone, they locked up,
then
she drove them back to her snug condo, stopping at the
grocery store for a bottle of wine and a few items.

“I’m in the mood for a salad and sandwich for dinner,” she
yawned as they went inside. “Plus, my favorite show is on tonight.”

Brock grinned as he uncorked the wine. “Still hoping the guy
with the long hair makes it to the finals?”

“Yes.” Tricia mixed together the salad greens, parmesan
cheese, and the dressing. “He’s been
laying
low,
looking for the right time to make a move.” She took the wine he handed her and
sipped. Setting the glass back on the counter, she pulled out the bread, meat,
and cheese. “This reminds me of our snack the first night on your planet.”

“Yes, it is similar.” He watched her make two sandwiches and
put them onto plates. She divided the salad into two bowls, then added utensils
and napkins. “Are we not eating in here?”

“No.” Tricia headed into the living room with the salads and
her wine glass. “Wednesdays I curl up in front of the TV and eat from the
coffee table.
If you’ll bring the sandwiches?”

“Sure.” Brock followed her and listened as she described her
favorite shows to him.

Chapter Eight

Two
months later…

Tricia paused outside the brick house with the bright red
door adorned with a horn
o’plenty
.

“Are you positive you want to do this?” She shifted the
plastic container to her other hand.

Brock smiled.
“Of course.
I haven’t
seen the inside of your parents’ home in several years. Go on.”

Opening the door, Tricia took a deep breath, inhaling the
wonderful aroma of roast turkey and pumpkin spice.
“Happy
Thanksgiving!
Mom?
Dad?
I’m home.”

Her mother appeared in the archway between the living room
and the kitchen.
“Happy Thanksgiving, sweetheart.”
She
embraced Tricia,
then
took the container from her.
“You didn’t need to bring anything, darling.”

“You know Dad and Dave love my bacon-tomato cups. Mom, this
is Brock.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Alexander.”
Brock held out his hand.

“Call me Tina.
Nice to meet you also.”
Tina Alexander led the way into the house. “Tricia, put your coats in the guest
bedroom.”

“Okay.” Tricia shrugged out of her blue parka and took
Brock’s black wool coat down the hall to the right. “This used to be Dave’s
room. Now it’s for whoever happens to sleep over. They turned my room into an
exercise room.”
 
Laying the coats on
the bed, she led Brock back through the living room and into the kitchen. Tina
had artfully arranged Tricia’s appetizers on a decorative platter.

“Mom, those may need heated up.” Tricia touched one, then
found a microwave safe plate and transferred several into the microwave. After
heating them, she put them back on the tray, taking them into the family room
where her dad, brother, and a few family friends were watching football. After
greeting her with hugs, the men pounced on the food. Tricia introduced Brock,
leaving him in the company of men while she joined her mother and two of her
mother’s friends in the kitchen.

“Your young man is handsome,” Tina confided in a low voice.
“Where did you meet him?”

“Lara, Jayne, Becki, and I had a Ladies Weekend a few months
ago and I met him on the dance floor. We really hit it off, and everybody likes
him.” Tricia took the plates from her mother to set the table.

“You met him in a bar? Tricia, that’s dangerous, but at
least he seems like a decent guy.”

“I know. He’s an accountant, and has been helping me with
the café’s books. I tell you, he’s charmed my regular customers. Kathy, is your
daughter still in
Ottowa
?” Tricia chatted about
people they knew as the meal was prepared and set on the table. The men were
dragged away from the television as Tricia’s father said the blessing.

After the meal, both Brock and Tricia refused dessert but
drank coffee as they spoke with everyone. All too soon, Tricia collected what
was left of her appetizers plus the package of leftovers her mother insisted
she take with her.

“You work too hard.
Brock, see that she
delegates more, and cuts back on her hours.”
Tina hugged him.

“I’ll do my best.”

Tricia groaned inwardly. “Mom, this is my busy time.
Shoppers are downtown, and I’ve got the only sit down coffee shop near the
stores that’s not priced sky high. I’ll cut back in January.”

“That’s what you said last year.” Tina hugged her daughter.
“Have a safe trip home. Brock, will we see you at Christmas?”

He squeezed Tricia’s elbow.
“Most
definitely.
Happy holidays.”
He led Tricia to
her car.

“Whew!” Once Tricia slid behind the wheel, she laid her head
back. “Did Dad put you through the third degree too? ‘How did you meet?’ ‘What
does he do?’ ‘Don’t you know meeting people in nightclubs can be dangerous?’ Mom
asked about your family and I almost told her they were out of this world. But
I bit my tongue and told her they were sweet.”

She felt Brock’s hand on her shoulder. “When we return, I
need to check in.
RiKar
told me yesterday the council
was deciding on a Bonding Date.”

Tricia blinked. “Don’t we get to decide when we want to
Bond?” Inserting her key into the ignition, she turned over the engine. “Here,
we would get engaged, and pick our own date, for anywhere from six months to a
year later. Everything hinges on the bride’s dreams of her wedding, and what
venues are available.” She checked for traffic and backed out of the driveway.

“What are your dreams?”

Tricia turned the wheel and drove down the street toward the
highway. “You mean you don’t recall my childish plans for my wedding? I’d still
like to get married in my church, with my three best friends in attendance, my
brother as a groomsman, and have the reception with the large cake and DJ. I
want lots of dancing, and a buffet dinner. The only thing I don’t have any more
is a cute flower girl. Sierra’s in high school now. I think she’d object if I
asked her to scatter the rose petals. She could be the Guest Book attendant.
Maybe one of Mom’s friends has a grandchild we could rent for the flower girl and
ring bearer.”

“Do you still wish for the large diamond ring?”

Tricia laughed. “I want an emerald cut, one carat diamond
with smaller diamonds around it, set in twenty-four carat gold. But if that’s
too expensive, I’ll take whatever is given to me, or I hope we’d go together
and pick it out. I don’t want to bankrupt you.”

“You let me worry about that.” Brock adjusted the radio.
“Christmas carols?”

“Yes.” Tricia signaled,
then
passed
the slower vehicle in front of her. “Brock, I hope you don’t think that was a
hint. I mean, I know we have to Bond, so you can stay, but marriage after only
a few months is a huge step. There are blood tests, you know. What happens if
your blood proves you’re an alien? Or worse, what if you should be in an
accident—”

“Tricia, I told you. This is a complete human body.
BeLah
, our doctor, ran scans to make sure I have everything
where it’s supposed to be. My blood type is O positive, very compatible with
yours.” Brock placed his hand on her knee. “I have nothing in me that would prove
other than a healthy human. And these past few months have proven to me we are
compatible, so why would you doubt me?”

“We’re approaching my usual deadline for relationships.”
Tricia blinked back unexpected tears. “What happens in the next three weeks will
be very telling.”

“I know you grow bored about this time,
tri’che’lo’vey
.
” His tone was gentle as he cupped her
cheek and brushed away the tears which escaped. “You forget I’ve watched you
through countless relationships. The very fact you’ve taught me to launder your
clothing tells me you’ve already changed.”

Tricia smiled. “That’s right. I’ve never let anyone else
wash my clothes and put them away before.”

“So relax, my darling.” Brock patted her shoulder and sang
along with the various Christmas carols on the radio.

Once they were back at Tricia’s home, she went into the
bedroom while Brock checked in at home. She set the alarm clock for four am and
dozed off.

The alarm jolted her from a strange dream about her future
wedding. She sat up, shaking the sleep out of her eyes. Brock
lay
next to her, his soft snores the only sound. Creeping
out of bed, she turned on the coffee,
then
returned to
the bedroom to dress. Brock awoke as she brushed her teeth, and soon they made
their way to the
Tiki
Torch Café.

People were already lined up in the next block, waiting for
the downtown Mall to open early. Brock started the coffee while Tricia warmed
up the pastries. She sent him out the door with a tray of goodies and a pad of
paper and pencil for more orders. Soon Brock returned with a bulging money bag
and more orders.

“You were right. I cannot believe there are so many people
out at this hour.” Brock started two more pots of coffee and pulled out several
hot croissants, which Tricia had filled. “Do we have any crullers?”

“No, I don’t have any ready. Offer her a cream cheese
croissant or a doughnut hole.” Pointing to the case, Tricia giggled as she
remembered Brock’s initial reaction to the little balls of fried dough. He’d
looked astonished the first time he’d heard the term, wondering if it was a
joke. “The raspberry ones are finished.”

“Two women want mocha cappuccinos,” he reported, grabbing
the coffee pot. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Tricia moved to the cappuccino machine to make the special
drinks. Customers began trickling in,
then
Mara showed
up to help.

“Oh thank goodness you’re here.” Tricia steamed the milk and
added the flavoring. “What time is it?”

“Almost six.
I remember you said
the rush began about this time last year, so I thought I’d come down and pitch
in.” Mara moved to the counter and greeted everyone.

Brock reappeared and took the flavored coffees, then swapped
out the coffee pots. Tricia enjoyed seeing the grateful looks on the customers’
faces and the constant jingle of the cash register.

Three hours later, all three took a short break to clean up
the dining area and sit around a table munching on leftover croissants.

“I’m so happy you came in, Mara.” Tricia rotated her ankles.
“My feet are already killing me. I think Brock and I are going to leave at
three and let Justin and Amy handle the afternoon crowd. That’s what we did
last year.”

“Stacy wanted the day off to be with her kids and do her own
Black Friday shopping.” Mara sipped her latte. “She’s working for me tomorrow.”

“That’s good. Holidays are always busy downtown. Things slow
down in January or when the snow hits.” Tricia stood up to pour herself another
cup of coffee. “Think turkey rice soup will be good for the lunch crowd? Or
should I stick with clam chowder?”

“The bank employees always order your clam chowder and
seafood salad on Fridays,” Mara reminded her. “Better not screw up their
schedules.”

“You’re right. People are indeed creatures of habit.” Tricia
returned to the kitchen.

After Justin arrived, Tricia and Brock departed.

“What did
RiKar
say last night?”
Tricia yawned. “I’m sorry I fell asleep last night.”

“You were tired from all the food and driving.” Brock
smoothed the hair from her face. “He said our Bonding Ceremony has been set for
two seasons from now. I looked at your calendar and this would put this right
before your Christmas. I told him I would check with you for the exact day or
week you could be gone.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.
Right in the
middle of Christmas?”
Tricia braked harder than normal at a red light.
“What date, exactly, did you calculate it to be?”

“The twenty-second or third.”

“No.
Absolutely not.
Call
RiKar
when we get home.
 
We’ll get the calendar out and figure
out what season or week will coincide with the first week of January.” Tricia
seethed inside. “This is what happens when women are not allowed to choose
their own dates. Do I get no say whatsoever in this? I wish I could take the
time to go tell your council to shove their rules up their collective asses.”
The light turned green, and she squealed the tires.

“Calm down. I’ll contact
RiKar
and
see what can be done. There have been special circumstances before.
 
I’ll remind him you have
responsibilities this time in your year.”

“You do that.” Tricia shot him a pointed look,
then
turned up the radio. “I love this song.”

When it was over, Brock turned down the volume. “I thought
hippopotamuses were wild animals. Why would you want one for Christmas?”

Tricia burst out laughing. “It’s just a silly song, Brock.
I’ve loved it ever since my dad first sang it to me.” She turned into her
apartment complex and pulled into her parking spot. “Let’s go tackle your
Powers That Be.”

“They are not called that—”

“I know. Don’t you know I get sarcastic when I’m pissed?”
Tricia unlocked the door and shed her coat while heading into the kitchen.
“Today is Friday, and you said your week equals one of our day. Four weeks in a
month…” She tapped her finger on the days of the week. “Three months to a
season, or is it four?”

“Three.” Brock joined her at the refrigerator. “See?
December twenty-second.”

“Okay. Yeah, that’s not going to cut it.” Tricia kept
counting. “We could do Jan third, which is during the final week of the first
month of the next season. God, this is confusing.” She pulled the calendar off
the fridge and sat down at the table. “Did what I just said make any sense to
you?”

“Actually, it did. Bring the calendar while I attempt to
reach
RiKar
.” Brock turned and went into the living
room. Tricia followed him and watched him activate the communicator.

RiKar
appeared on her TV screen.
“Greetings,
BaRok
.
TriSha
.
How may I be of service?”

“Greetings
RiKar
.
I respectfully remind you and the other council members of my
Chosen
’s
profession in the Trade Industry. We have checked the dates and they coincide
with a particular holiday here. Is there any way we can request our Bonding
Date be held the first month of the
Tar’Win
season?
My
Chosen
’s duties at that time will allow her
to travel back to
TriJupe
for the Bonding, without
causing any issues with her staff or business.”