Free Goddess's Saga 1: Touch of the Goddess by Maria Hammarblad Page B

wheezed, “We can’t have missed them. There’s no way to miss those two, and there’s no other way out.”
    “ Maybe they’re still making out in there.”
    “ Oh come on, they can’t be that interested in each other.”
    They didn ’t have to take many steps into the now brightly lit room to see it was empty.
    “ What the hell? Where did they go?
     
    *****
     
    Maria rested with her head on Stephan’s shoulder, trailing lazy patterns on his chest. She was relaxed and content, and completely unprepared for his question.
    “ Does this happen to you a lot?”
    “ What?”
    He smirked.
    “Hooking up with a mortal, staying until you get bored or they grow old and die.”
    Whoa, where did that come from?
    “No.”
    And I really don ’t want to talk about this, so please drop it.
    “ But...”
    “ But what? I’m so old?”
    “ No... Well, yes, but I didn’t mean it like that.”
    Dammit.
    “I’ve never been in this kind of relationship with someone outside my own species, if that’s what you’re getting at. You’re the first, and you’ll probably be the last. Happy?”
    She rolled over enough to be able to lean on an elbow and look at him. He didn ’t seem particularly happy.
    Handled that well, didn ’t I... Is he still worried I’ll disappear?
    “ I know I’m not human, but you’re not really human either. I think we make a good team. The past is gone and now is now. I think now is pretty good, don’t you?”
    Please, let ’s not fight. I don’t know how I lived without you, and any day now I might even be able to say it.
    He pulled her closer.
    “ Now, right now, is very good.”
    She relaxed again, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the feeling of his strong arms around her.
    “Hey, I should probably take you to dinner.”
    She opened one eye. “Naah, it must be late by now, and if you’re hungry, I can get us something right here.”
    He brushed a lock of hair away from her face.
    “ It’s late ship-time, but that doesn’t matter on the station, you know. It’s always open. I know this really nice restaurant and I think you’d like it.”
    Sounds like he wa nts to go.
    “ Okay.”
    She crawled out of bed as slowly as possible, mak ing sure to tempt him. With any luck at all he’d change his mind and want to stay on the ship.
    Stephan gave her butt a slight tap, but showed admirable constraint, so she pulled on one of his shirts. It made an excellent robe.
    His eyes burned into her back.
    “What?”
    “ Nothing. You’re just too cute.”
    She shrugged and moseyed over to the closet. Nothing seemed just right and she twirled a lock of hair around her finger.
    “ Put a belt around what you have, and it’ll be fine. Or take it off...”
    Now he looked like he wanted to eat her. She poked his chest with a finger.
    “ Think unsexy thoughts, Mister. You wanted to go to dinner. I don’t even need to eat.”
    He flashed a smile, clearly trying to look innocent.
    “ How about something red?”
     
    *****
     
    Paulie leaned against a wall, struggling to look casual. When Stephan and Maria walked by, arm in arm, it seemed even more improbable that he could have missed them leaving the theatre. Either of them would draw attention on their own. Together, they were stunning.
    Enjoy it while you can, it won ’t last.
    As soon as they passed, neither acknowledging him with as much as a look, he lifted his arm and spoke into his cuff.
    “ Jack, I got them. They’re on the move.”
    “ Good. Let’s try not to lose them this time.”
    “ I’m not too worried about that, they stand out.”
    “ Well, that’s what we thought in the theatre. Keep your eyes open.”

~ 11 ~
     
     
    Stephan had been right. Maria adored the restaurant. It was comfortable and cosy, with real wooden boards for floor and ceiling, panelled walls, and nice furniture. A big chandelier lit with old-fashioned candles hung over their table, and close to the entrance was an alligator.
    Building this place all the way out