Free Heart of a Warrior by Theodora Lane

do.”
    Cho’s tongue flicked out and touched her chin, stuck to it for a split second, and then disappeared back into his mouth. He turned over, exposing his white underbelly to her.
    “You’re just a charmer, aren’t you?”
    She reached out a fingertip and stroked him from the underside of his jaw to the base of his tail.
    She felt a psychic shudder go through the lizard.
    “Hey, is this some sort of lizard sex thing?”
    “Absolutely. Do it again, baby. Make me yours.”
    She stroked him again. His toes curled, and his long body writhed with saurian pleasure.
    “I think I’d better stop. Nic might not like this. Does he touch you this way?”
    “Hell no, I don’t go in for that. All male, remember?”
    “Right. You need to get laid, Cho.”
    “I was hoping you’d say that.”
    “By a female lizard, not me.”
    He rolled back onto his feet and flicked her with his tongue again. It tickled her.
    “You taste good.”
    “Shut up, Cho.”
    Fiona rolled her eyes, laughed, and sat up in bed. Cho skittered off to slink under the door and back to his tree. She walked into the bath, turned on the shower, and stripped off the T-shirt. Taking a shower had never felt so good, but slipping back into her old clothes took the clean feeling away.
    Her tummy rumbling, she headed to the kitchen.
    •
    Nic sat at the counter eating a bowl of cereal.
    “Wheaties?” She picked up the box and laughed.
    “Breakfast of champions.” He winked at her. Damn, she looked good. All wet from the shower, still glowing from the hot water. He could smell her clean soap scent and the shampoo from where he sat. His mind flashed to what he’d like to do to her in the shower.
    “Sounds good.” She hunted for a bowl and spoon, and then fixed the cereal.
    “Listen,” she began. “Thanks for all the hospitality, but I want to go home now. So, are you taking me, or do I have to call a cab?” she said between bites.
    “I’ll take you. But I don’t think you should stay there tonight, Fiona.” He poured a large glass of milk and downed half of it.
    She shrugged. “I need some fresh clothes.”
    “We’re safe during the day, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”
    “And I have to call work and let them know I’m taking some time off. That sort of stuff.” She put a spoonful of cereal into her mouth and chewed.
    “Fine. Let’s go.” He stood and chugged down the rest of the milk in his glass. Rinsing out his bowl, he placed his dishes in the dishwasher. Fiona gobbled down the last of her cereal and put her bowl and spoon in the dishwasher too.
    Nic walked to the tree and looked at the lizard.
    “Stay here, Cho, we won’t be gone long.”
    “All right. ’Bye, Fiona.”
    “’Bye, Cho.”
    Nic turned slowly to Fiona. She wore a lopsided smirk on her face. Her hand rested on her cocked hip, just daring him to say something.
    “That’s just great.” Nic snatched up his keys, threw open the front door, and headed to the Jag, Fiona right behind him.
    — • —
    They pulled into her driveway behind her car.
    “Thank God!” Fiona exclaimed as she opened the door and ran to the car. Unbelievably, her purse lay on the ground where she’d dropped it.
    Nic whistled in appreciation. “Must be a really good neighborhood.”
    “It is. My grandmother used to live here. When she died, I inherited the house.” She paused at the front door with her keys in her hand. Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the front door and let Nic in.
    Looking around, Nic said, “I like it.”
    Minimal furniture, but well-done and comfortable, with neutral colors on the walls and grass mats under foot, she’d worked hard to make it nice, so of course it pleased her when he complimented the room, like she’d feel if anyone said something nice about it.
    “Have a seat. I’ll be out in a minute.” She headed to her bedroom. Nic followed. When she opened the door and stepped inside, Nic stood behind her.
    “I thought I said have a seat. Not follow me