Free Fire's Touch (The Enlightened Species Book Three) by Wendy S. Hales Page A

shapely curve of her ass his reward for letting his eyes reach the top of her long, sinful legs. His heart rate went through the roof. The female would be the death of him.
    The blistering of his hands had been well worth the feel of her soft skin. She boiled hot like a pissed off Aquatie, yet she’d drawn from his energy to do it. Aquaties could boil or freeze moisture, water, even the blood running through a person vascular system. But Aquaties used thermodynamic energy converted from sunlight to do it. Stacey had drawn off him. He could practically feel the molecular friction her gift generated within her. It had taken a full pint of blood after her massage before Conlon’s strength returned.
    Mattie stepped near. “Con, you’re going to scare the humans. Get a grip.”
    Conlon quickly clenched his jaw closed to conceal his erupted dentes. At the car Stacey stopped and her eyes did a quick visual roll call of the security members, pausing when she met his eyes for a fraction of a second. She glanced at his hands as if assuring herself he wasn’t harmed before moving on. “Where’s Alto?” she asked.
    Jack walked over and opened the limo driver’s door for a thin, elderly human man with gray hair creating a rim around an otherwise baldhead. Perfectly dressed in cuffs and gloves, he shuffled to Stacey. Much to Conlon’s surprise, Stacey smiled. Her face brightened to near glowing and her eyes twinkled with joy as she bent over to give the chauffeur a heartfelt, loving hug. All the wind rushed from his body. If he’d worn button-fly jeans, the damn things would be shooting across the hangar like missiles from the pressure in his pants. As it was, Conlon’s erection knew the teeth of his zipper intimately.
    “Mevrouw Stacey.” The happiness in the old man’s face spoke volumes. This was someone from Stacey’s youth who’d known her a long time. “Meneer, Jack said there are many threats to you right now. I was very careful to not be followed when I left the estate in the limo. I had the Hummers sent over from your corporate fleet.” It had been awhile since Conlon had spoken Dutch, but he was able to follow the conversation.
    “Aw, Alto, when in my life has there not been threats against me?” Stacey’s Dutch was perfect. “Bedankt for taking extra precautions. I am so sorry about Grieta.”
    Alto nodded sadly. “Ya, she were a fine honden. Her last litter of pups lift my spirits some. Are you planning to come by your home this trip?” The old man shifted his feet uncomfortably. Stacey turned her back before Conlon could decipher her expression and shook her head. Alto’s shoulders sagged a touch. “Well, just know it’s being taken care of.” Stacey nodded and slipped inside the car with Alto gently closing it behind her.
    Alto shuffled to the opposite back door and looked expectantly at Jack, who tilted his head at Conlon as he climbed in. The old man’s sharp gaze met Conlon’s and narrowed, and he got a knowing grin. With a deep breath, Conlon walked over to join Stacey and Jack inside the limo. Mark and the other members of their detail loaded into the two Hummers and they exited the hangar.
    “Did you tell anyone else we were coming?” Conlon directed the question to both Stacey and Jack.
    Stacey never took her gaze from the scenery out the window. Conlon didn’t think she would answer him. There was a profound hollowness in her voice when she did. “Alto was my father’s personal chauffer and butler. Now he is the steward of my hom—” her voice caught “—my private estate in Amsterdam. He is the only one ever given advanced notice of my arrival. I trust him.” Her blue eyes swung around to clash with his in challenge. She was protective of the old man too.
    “Has the estate been properly secured for your arrival?”
    Stacey turned to look back out the window. “I won’t be staying there … this trip.” Her eyelashes batted moisture away quickly.
    Conlon sat back and watched