CALLEY (RIBUS 7 Book 3) (22 page)

Their afternoon together went smoothly with the majority of the conversation revolving around Jim’s work. They touched on her parents also, Jim filling her in on his interactions with them over the years. Fortunately, there was so much ground to cover, Jim never even had the chance to interrogate her about her long absence, and Chelan never once felt threatened or pressured to divulge anything.

Later in the afternoon, he made a dinner fit for a king and queen, and after both of them were suitably stuffed, they retired to the living room for more conversation.

“This day has been wonderful,” she commented contentedly.

Jim smiled. “This day has been a miracle in my estimation. Every time I look at you, it’s surreal. It’s as if a long-lost ghost just materialized right in front of me.”

“Well, I have to admit this whole adventure is a little surreal to me, too. I honestly never intended to rekindle any old friendships.”

Jim shifted in his chair. “I know you’ve made it clear that you don’t want to talk about the past decade, but at some point I really hope you can bring yourself to enlighten me a least a little bit. To say I am perplexed is indeed an understatement.”

“I know. Let’s just say that my situation has been complicated. My exit was unexpected, but I was presented with an opportunity I simply could not pass up.” Chelan glanced at him and had to struggle to keep from laughing. Indeed, she had been able to pass up nothing that was thrown at her by the Empire. After all, being abducted was not exactly an optional affair.

Jim stared at her, her features completely unreadable. “I won’t pressure you, of course, but at some point, well, I would give my eyeteeth to know what opportunities were afforded to you that caused you to essentially fake your own death and then walk away from everything and everyone.”

Chelan smiled. “Like I said, it’s complicated.”

Jim ran his hand through his hair. “I’ll say.”

Chelan finally looked down at her watch. “Oh hell, I completely lost track of the time.” She jumped to her feet. “I’m so sorry—I should get going. I’ll go downstairs and hail a cab.”

Jim sprang to his feet beside her. “You’re right—it’s late. Look, I can take you home, or you could stay here if you wish. But no pressure. I did take a couple of days off, and if you stay, we can get an early start on tomorrow’s activities.”

Chelan watched his expressions, looking for hidden agendas, but found nothing besides sincerity. “Ah, well, okay, but I don’t have anything with me.”

Jim nodded. “No problem. I often have guests here, sometimes even clients. The main bathroom is stocked with fresh items, including new toothbrushes. There is a large freshly laundered terry robe on the back of the door, and I could supply you with T-shirts or anything else you wish to sleep in.”

As fast as she could, Chelan weighed his proposal against the past and calculated the consequences of taking him up on his offer. He seemed genuine, and so far he had been the perfect gentleman. Finally, her weary bones tipped the scale in his favor, and she acquiesced. “Since it
is
very late, and if you don’t mind—I’ll accept your invitation.”

The smile that lit Jim’s face could have illuminated a stadium. “Excellent. Well, then, you know where your room is. Can I get you a shirt, ummm… a pair of sweatpants, anything else you need?”

Chelan almost grinned at her overly enthusiastic host. “It’s okay, Jim. I think I will manage.”

He nodded. “Well, then, I shall say good night.”

“’Night, and thank you for everything.”

“You’re most welcome. I will be up early and in my office, but if you need anything at any time, just give me a shout.”

Chelan turned away and started out of the living room. She left the man standing there looking like he had just won the lottery, and continued down the hall. Ducking into the main bathroom, she snagged the robe he’d said would be behind the door. Then she continued on to the guest bedroom, closed the door behind her, and locked it.

Taking another look around, she suddenly realized just how tired she was. She simply slipped out of her jeans and socks and climbed into the massive bed. Instantly, she was out.

*****

Upon morning light, she got up and stretched, then looked down at the bed. There were no more servants, she mused, and so she set about making it. Then she took off the rest of her clothes, cocooned herself in the large robe, and tiptoed across the room. Opening her door, she peered down the hall, but Jim was nowhere to be seen. She padded into the washroom and locked the door. Letting the floor-length robe drop, she stepped into the shower, adjusting it to a steamy heat. There she languished, wishing she could stay in the water’s warm embrace until Fremma’s return. But she knew that was not to be, and after a deliciously long time, she stepped out and dried herself slowly.

She studied the foggy vision of herself in the mirror and smiled. She looked good, but she needed to work out. The complex probably had a weight room, and Jim could direct her there at some point.

Feeling a little odd about her next activity, she began going through the numerous drawers and cabinets. He hadn’t been kidding when he said the place was well stocked. It had everything from combs, brushes and every hair care product under the sun, to new toothbrushes, shaving supplies, a hair dryer, a curling iron, and, seemingly, a grand selection of antiperspirants. Under one of the sinks was a large supply of feminine products right next to several unopened boxes of condoms. Talk about a convenience store! Add in some refreshments and it was one-stop shopping.

Chelan straightened and pondered. She wondered what the ratio of male guests, whether clients or friends, to female guests was. Judging by the supplies, she figured the men numbered a pretty paltry few in comparison. She grinned. Well, no matter—it was to her advantage, and she made her selections of the suitable toiletries and then tended to herself.

When she was done, she slipped back into the robe and then took one last look at herself, focusing on her hair. It was getting to be a real inconvenience, and she briefly thought about cutting it. But then she smiled again. Korba would never forgive her, and her heart warmed. Just the thought of him caused her to melt from within.

As she stepped out into the hall, she was greeted by the absolutely heavenly smell of bacon. Her mouth watered and she hesitated at the bathroom door. Then, she scampered back to her room to dress.

Just as she entered the kitchen, Jim swung around, fork in hand. “Good morning. Breakfast will be served soon.”

“Smells fantastic.”

Jim threw a smile over his shoulder as he returned to his task. “And how do you like your eggs?”

“Scrambled.”

Jim chuckled. “Good thing. The damn things always break on me anyway.”

Chelan hiked herself up onto a stool at the bar that surrounded part of the island separating the main kitchen from the living room. She looked at his back, clad in a white T-shirt. He was muscular and in superb shape. He was a large man, by Earth’s standards, but Chelan knew the Warlords dwarfed him. He wore a pair of loose-fitting blue jogging shorts, his feet bare. Chelan glanced down at his legs, an unexpected chill hitting her.

She stood, suddenly feeling queasy. Ticees had hair on his legs. He was more a man of Earth than the Iceanean men, and he had raped her. Chelan tried to clear her thoughts. She was being silly. But she could not quell the lump that had formed in her stomach, and she moved off into the living room.

“Hey!” Jim called over his shoulder. “Where are you going? Don’t take off now. My culinary masterpiece is nearly done.” He smiled but then stopped. He turned around and studied her. “Chelan?” he called, but she did not respond.

Jim put down the fork. She seemed to be in another world, her mind and body somehow detached from the here and now. He watched as she moved ever so slowly to the large windows, her eyes staring vacantly into space. She raised her arms and ran her fingers slowly through her hair. The morning sun shone through her T-shirt, giving her supple body the aura of an angel. Jim’s eyes widened, and his mouth dried. “Jesus,” he mumbled to himself.

He took a moment to tame the unexpected erection that threatened, then he began to round the island. “Chelan,” he called again just as his toe caught the edge of the stool and sent it crashing.

Chelan jumped, her hands flying to her throat. She whirled around and watched him stagger to catch his balance, scooping up the toppled stool in one smooth motion. Then she grinned. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

Jim set the stool upright and squared his shoulders. “You were far away there for a moment.”

“I apologize again. I should be more attentive.”

Jim stepped up to her and looked down into her dark eyes. Concern edged in on his voice. “You want to talk?”

Chelan shook her head. “No, I’m okay.”

Jim reached out and touched her cheek. He saw her eyes fixate on his arm, and he remained still. He thought he could actually see fear register in her pretty eyes, and he pulled his hand back. Something had happened to her while she was gone, and eventually he would find out what. “Come on,” he said softly. “Let’s eat.”

Chelan’s mind was still struggling with the past. She wobbled on her feet as images of Ticees looming over her invaded her thoughts.

Jim was becoming worried. She seemed to be almost catatonic. “Chelan,” he whispered.

Chelan could feel her flesh being torn and the pain that rocked her pelvis. Then he had her arms and he—

“Chelan!” hollered Jim. “What’s wrong?”

Her eyes widened as she looked down at the hands that shook her, and she snapped back into reality. She exhaled sharply.

“Chelan,” Jim called again. “Do you want me to get a doctor? God, you look as though you had seen a ghost.”

She blinked. Ticees
was
a ghost—Korba had seen to that personally. She jerked her arms out of Jim’s grasp. “No,” she stated firmly. “I’m okay. I was just remembering something.”

Jim stared at her. “Something not too good, I’d venture.”

Chelan finally forced a smile. “It’s okay—I’m all right now. Let’s eat.”

Jim took a deep breath and ushered her back to her stool. He watched her for a moment or two more, and when she seemed okay, he served the breakfast.

Chelan looked over all the food. “You’re used to feeding an army, are you?”

Jim finally smiled. “You’ll need your strength. We’ve got some pretty heavy-duty shopping to do.”

Chelan smiled at him. “Well, I have plenty of cash and I don’t need much.”

“Uh-huh,” Jim countered as he hurried to swallow some bacon. “You appear to need lots of things, and I’ve got the credit cards.”

Chelan shook her head at him. “No, please. I don’t want to owe you anything, especially since I may not be able to repay you. Just your company is more than enough.”

Jim looked at her sternly. “It’s not a loan—it’s a gift.”

Chelan stopped eating.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“I don’t want to become indebted to you, Jim. It’s important to me that I don’t.”

Jim sighed. “Look. I’m not asking for anything except your company. I remember what happened just before you left, and I was way out of line. I just want you to have a few nice things. You’re beautiful, and I want you to have beautiful clothes. Like the car, consider it all ‘welcome back’ gifts.”

Chelan looked down and twiddled with her fork. “It’s not necessary. I’m not going anywhere fancy—I mean, in public. Nice clothes would only be a waste.”

Jim put down his fork and sat up straight, his voice soft and low. “Nothing on you is a waste, Chelan, not even those simple jeans.”

Despite all her effort, Chelan felt herself turn a slight shade of pink.

Jim smiled. “Look, if I make you uncomfortable, just tell me and I’ll back off. But if you can endure my enthusiasm over being in your company again, then just let me go on my binge. It would make me immensely happy.”

Chelan toyed with her food. “Okay,” she said, yielding. “You’re right, I guess. I shouldn’t begrudge my good fortune. But I want you to be reasonable.”

“I promise to try. Well… a bit. Now eat up and let’s get going. Time’s a-wasting.”

*****

Chelan complied and soon they were on their way. She was dumbstruck by the stores he chose to take her to, flattered and irked at the same time. And though she refused most of the garments he insisted she try on based on the price alone, most of them he bought anyway.

By evening they were back at William’s apartment and Chelan was worn out. She collapsed on the couch with boxes piled all around. Finally Jim came in through the door with a few more. “Good thing we took the Beemer. Never would have fit all this in the Ferrari.” And he kicked the door shut.

Chelan shook her head. “Where did all those come from?”

“Well, you took so long in some of the change rooms, I had to do
something
with my time.”

Chelan was too tired to mount a protest. “You’re crazy.”

Jim dropped the boxes at her feet. “Maybe, but you’re worth it.”

Chelan looked down. “Jim, I will never live long enough to—”

“Oh, stop your nonsense. Indulge me.”

Chelan frowned at him as she reached for one of the mystery boxes, but Jim snatched them all up. “Later,” he said with a grin.

Chelan eyed him warily as she stood and then gathered as many of her things as she could. “I’ll go hang these up.”

Jim nodded. “And then come right back out. If you like, I’ll order in some food.”

“That would be great,” she called over her shoulder as she packed the clothing down to her room. There she worked her way through the mountains of bags and boxes, putting away the fine silks and merino wools as gently as she could. She wasn’t sure that she would ever wear the precious designer garments, but Jim had been persistent, even downright stubborn. She cringed when she thought of the bill he would have to pay. But that didn’t seem to bother him either. It never had.

She padded out into the dim light of the living room, squinting to focus. “Jim?” she called.

“Right here.”

Chelan whirled around to find him in the shadows. He stepped out and handed her a tall glass of champagne. She accepted. “Where did you get this?”