The Stone Prince

EIGHTEEN

KATIE DIDN’T HAVE TO THINK long about whether or not to take Jorlan to the luncheon. Yes, yes, yes! was the answer. She’d never before introduced a man to her father, but for some reason, she wanted him to meet and love Jorlan.

At the moment, she and her alien were in her truck, speeding along the highway. Jorlan had no idea what he’d gotten himself into, of course, but she’d tried to warn him. His determination to spend the day with her family was startling in its intensity, and made her care for him all the more.

“Will there be ‘lick her’ at this family gathering?” he asked. He tugged at his seat belt, still uncomfortable with being locked down.

“Yes. To be honest, I don’t think my brothers can tolerate each other without it.”

Misunderstanding her dry tone, Jorlan reached around her and sunk his fingers into the base of her neck, massaging. “You have nothing to fear, katya. I will not harm your siblings.”

She chuckled. “What if they deserve it?”

“Even then.”

“Well, they need to pay for what they did to us the other night, and I brought the means to do that.” One sandy brow arched and the corner of her lip elevated with smug confidence as she patted the bag at her side. Oh yes, her brothers were going to pay.

Before long, her father’s house came into view. It was the house of her childhood, an unusual house, high and sprawling, redbrick, with a tall, cathedral roof. She couldn’t say the structure was to her personal taste, but the memories she had built there more than made up for any architectural failure.

Five cars, each a different make and model—depending on the owner—were parked in the winding driveway. She kept her truck close to the entrance, not wanting to be blocked in with no escape. Bracing herself, she turned to Jorlan. “Are you ready for this?”

“Aye.”

“I just want to warn you again. My dad is a very…opinionated man.”

“I wonder how his daughter became so pliable, then,” Jorlan teased.

“Ha, ha. Very funny.” Instead of leading him to the porch, she grabbed the plastic bag she’d brought and strode directly to Nick’s sedan. He was going to be her first victim.

She raised the hood. Jorlan peered over her shoulder, casting a shadow over the engine. “What are you doing?”

“Getting our revenge.” With that, she clasped a container of baby powder and dumped the contents into the ventilation system. She did the same to all of her brothers’ vehicles. “When they turn on their air conditioners, they’ll be blasted with the powder.”

Jorlan slowly grinned. “Remind me never to make you angry.”

They walked hand-in-hand to the porch. The front doors were oak and had elongated silver handles in the shape of the number eight. Music blared from speakers, fast-paced and without a noticeable rhythm. Not bothering to ring the bell — who would have heard her anyway? — she led Jorlan through the house. Every piece of decoration, from the floral print ottoman to the cream-colored lace curtains, was positioned exactly as her mother had liked them.

Everyone was in the backyard playing basketball. Even her dad had donned shorts and a bandana for the occasion. The dark blue kerchief wrapped around his head made him look like a slightly older version of her brothers, instead of an aging heart patient. Sunlight streamed down, hot and dry; unfortunately, no breeze meandered by to cool them off. The yard was flat, mostly light grass that had long since turned dry and weedy. All of the roses and azaleas that had once lined the fence were withered.

“Katie,” her dad called when he saw her.

As one, all of her brothers halted in different stages of play and glanced over at her. Nick raced to the patio table and turned down the music as her dad’s long strides closed the distance between them. He kissed her cheek. “How’ve you been, girl?”

Just peachy, she thought. I’m sleeping with an alien and a curse hangs over our heads. “I’m great.”

“Good, good.” His golden-brown eyes lit on Jorlan. He frowned. “Who’s your friend?”

“Dad, this is Jorlan en Sarr. Jorlan, this is Ryan James. My father.”

The two shook hands. “I’ve heard about you,” he said, and judging by his tone, the information hadn’t been good. “You may call me Detective James,” he announced in his no-nonsense voice.

“Dad, you’re no longer on the force,” she reminded him. But she knew it would do no good—he made everyone, including her upon occasion, call him Detective.

“Doesn’t matter.” He wiped his sweaty cheek with the back of his wrist. “I earned the title and still deserve the respect that comes with it. Boys, say hi to our guest so we can get back to our game.” Just like that, Jorlan was dismissed.

So far, things were not going well.

None of her brothers had been expecting her, obviously, because they stood all in a row, staring at her, waiting for her to reveal how they would be received. They all wore equal expressions of guilt and shame. Well, except for Nick, who was grinning as if he was having the time of his life.

“Hey, Jorlan,” Erik finally said, ignoring her altogether.

“Hey,” all the others called. Gray even gave Jorlan a stiff nod.

“Good dawning to you,” Jorlan said. Of all of Katie’s brothers, he liked Gray the best. The man had a way of intimidating everyone around him, a fine quality for any warrior to possess. Not that he intimidated Jorlan, however. Or Katie for that matter. In fact, the hard lines of Gray’s face softened every time he glanced at his sister, ruining his I’m-about-to-kill-you frown.

How pathetic, Jorlan thought, his high praise for Gray evaporating. Couldn’t the man remain outwardly unaffected while dealing with the opposite sex?

Katie chose that moment to glance at Jorlan. A smile grew on her lips, warm and intimate. He knew those lips felt like heated satin against his skin. He knew they tasted like the sweetest gartina petal.

His features relaxed.

The James men were hard and golden, yet Katie was soft and fair. Each man present could have easily passed for Imperian warriors. Katie, though, would not have blended with the men or the women of his world. She was too exotic-looking, too opinionated and commanding. If he introduced her to his warrior friends, they would surely string him alive, fearing such a spitfire would embolden their women. But ah, what fun he and Katie would have!

For some reason, all of the James men were lined up side by side, now staring at him with hard expressions. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared right back at them.

“Are you having fun yet?” Katie whispered in Jorlan’s ear. She turned her attention back to her brothers. Knowing they would soon be drenched with baby powder put her in a forgiving mood. “Well,” she said, hands on hips. “Are you going to greet me or not?”

In a snap, sweaty male arms and chests enfolded her. “Enough,” she laughed.

“Glad you came,” Gray told her, then kissed her cheek.

“Don’t smother the girl,” her father barked. “You all smell like a locker room and I don’t want you to gag her to death. God, no wonder she lives alone and refuses to marry a decent man. You’ve all given her a bad impression.”

“Don’t get all tense, Dad.” Katie pointed a finger at his chest. “It’s not good for your health.”

“Well—” he blustered.

“Besides, the James brothers can’t help themselves. I’m irresistible.”

“That you are,” Jorlan whispered against her ear.

In the sudden silence, everyone overheard. Gray rolled his eyes at the sweet entreaty. Nick chuckled. Her dad watched them with narrowed eyes. “Who’s ready to finish the game?” He grabbed the ball from the ground. “Katie, go sit by Denver’s friend. You gals can cheer for me. Jorlan, why don’t you be on Nick’s team?”

For the first time, Katie noticed the lone woman perched beneath the bright-yellow patio umbrella. Dark-brown hair spilled around her shoulders. She wore a lightweight, strappy sundress made of light-blue fabric and somehow managed to look cool and sophisticated amid the crackling heat.

“Jorlan doesn’t know how to play basketball.” Katie swiped her sweat-beaded brow with the back of her hand.

“What red-blooded American doesn’t know how to play basketball?” her dad roared.

“He’s not American.”

“Doesn’t matter. He’s red-blooded isn’t he?”

Actually, she didn’t know.

“I know the game,” her alien lover said. “Over the spans I have watched several of them played. I will play, but I would like Katie to play, as well.”

“Girls shouldn’t play sports, son. They can get hurt.” This was, of course, said by her father as he gave her a pointed look that conveyed the message: don’t disappoint me by stepping beyond feminine boundaries yet again.

She just arched a brow. “I’m your sixth son, Dad. I can take anything you dish.”

“Fine.” Ryan threw his arms in the air, as if he’d been pushed to the last level of his tolerance. “But I’m not willing to take a chance that you’ll get trampled. We’ll just take turns shooting from the line.”

“Oh, I like that,” Nick said with a sly grin. “First one to miss has to tell everyone his best pickup line. Maybe this way, we can teach Gray something about women.”

Gray slugged him in the shoulder.

Katie rolled her eyes. “I’ll sit this one out, boys, but I do thank you for the offer.” While she would have loved playing with Jorlan, she had a much stronger desire to watch him. She skipped to the shaded umbrella table and introduced herself to Denver’s friend. “I’m Katie. The sister.”

“Madison.” Madison wore big sunglasses that covered half her face. This close up, her dark hair appeared glossy, like chocolate tinted silk. She was pretty in a delicate, pixieish sort of way.

Shading her eyes with her hand, Katie plopped down in an available seat. “How long have you and Denver been dating?”

“A few weeks.” Madison’s tone was cool, and she offered no more information.

Katie got the hint. She also realized that Madison was the usual type of female Denver dated—a woman who needed icicles surgically removed from her veins. When would her brother find someone at least partially thawed?

Without another word, she turned her attention to the men. They were all lined up in front of the goal, taking turns shooting the ball. When Jorlan’s turn arrived, a look of such intense concentration masked his face. He studied the goal, weighed the ball in his hands, then finally shot. The ball swooshed through the net.

Five rounds later, Nick missed.

“Let’s hear your best pickup line. Maybe I can learn something—not to say,”

Gray finished with a laugh. Nick’s mouth twitched with amusement. “I prefer a direct approach. Something like this. Nice legs.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “What time do they open?”

Madison gasped.

Katie chuckled.

All of the men burst into laughter, including Jorlan. Her heart warmed at the sight.

How wonderfully he was interacting with her family. And he wasn’t even hammered! Her smile slowly faded. Why, why, why couldn’t she keep him?

Life was so unfair.

Erik was the next to miss. “You’ve got two hundred bones in your body. Want one more?”

Again, Madison gasped. “That’s disgusting,” she said scathingly.

On and on the boys played until she’d heard everything from, “I’d really like to see how you look when I’m naked.” To, “You know, if I were you, I’d have sex with me.” To, “Wanna play army? I’ll lay down and you can blow the hell out of me.”

Madison had spewed her glass of water over that one.

Jorlan finally missed. Everyone, including Katie, stared at him in expectation. Just what constituted an Imperian come-on? As she watched him, she noticed his eyes were crinkled merrily at the sides. Oh, he was having fun, and she wanted to throw herself in his arms because of it.

Another second passed, then another. He had them all on the edge, waiting.

Finally, he said confidently, “Get thee to my bed, woman.”

All of Katie’s brothers frowned. “That’s not a pickup line,” Denver said.

“It’s not even funny,” Nick added.

“But it works,” Jorlan added with a smile. “Every time.”

Male chuckles abounded, some a deep tenor, others a husky baritone. Still, she could distinguish Jorlan’s chuckles, like a deep, honey-rich caress.

“I’m starved,” Gray suddenly announced. He dropped the ball and let it roll onto the grass. “Someone get into the kitchen and make me a sandwich.”

Half a dozen male faces peered at her and Madison. “I am not fixing anyone anything,” Katie retorted, popping to her feet.

“Don’t look at me,” Madison ground out. “I’m ready to leave.”

“Katie,” her father began, entreaty woven into the deep timbre of his voice. “You and Madison are the only women here. While we’ve been busy, you’ve been sitting. Fixing us lunch is the least you can do.”

“We have this argument every time I come over.” When her mother had been alive, hamburgers, hotdogs, casseroles and fresh fruit punch had abounded. Since Hannah’s death, however, the only food to be served was what Katie prepared. “You’re a big boy, and if you get hungry, you can cook.”

“Cooking is a woman’s job, young lady.”

“Then I guess all the big bad men here will have to starve.”

Jorlan came to her, put his arm around her waist. His masculine scent filled her nostrils, raw and primal. “No woman of mine serves those who are ungrateful.”

Everyone stilled, awaiting an explosion from Ryan.

“Ungrateful!” Ryan roared. “I’ll have you know—”

“Uh, why don’t I order a pizza?” Erik clasped a hand on his dad’s shoulder.

Katie barely acknowledged her brother. She was too shocked by Jorlan’s pronouncement. He wasn’t demanding she obey; he was supporting her, helping her. Caring for her. An undeniable sense of peace and rightness settled deep inside her.

Jorlan read the disbelief on Katie’s face.

He did not like her family making her feel so unimportant. He liked even less that he himself had often done the same. Did they not see she possessed the fire of a warrior? The courage? The boldness? She belonged at a man’s side, not behind him. Not serving him.

“Can I speak to you a moment?” Ryan locked his hands behind his back and braced his feet apart, looking every inch the detective. It was a war position. His mouth was firm, with grim lines at the corners.

Jorlan nodded. Katie opened her mouth to protest, but he gave her a slight shake of his head. “I will speak with him.”

“His health isn’t great, so try not to make him mad, okay?”

“For you…anything,” he said, and he realized surprisingly that he meant every word. He placed a soft kiss upon the sensitive skin of her wrist, then followed the older man inside the house. A cool blast of air enveloped him, welcoming him and drying his sweat.

In the next instant, Ryan rounded on him. “Just what are your intentions toward my daughter? The boys say you’re leaving her soon.” His eyes, identical to the light amber-brown of Katie’s, were narrowed with fatherly concern.

Jorlan crossed his arms over his chest. “Katie asked me to be gentle with you, thus I will ignore the disrespectful tone you continue to use while addressing me.”

Ryan stared at him in silence. Slowly, his expression softened, until finally, he settled down onto the couch with a plop, grinning widely. “You still set on leaving?”

“Mayhap.”

Ryan nodded. “You’re strong. Won’t take any crap.”

What was the man getting at?

“By damn, you’re just what she needs. She runs roughshod over everyone else, but you, I think, will have a chance of corralling her. She’s my only daughter, you know? My baby.”

“I know.”

“Looks just like her mother. A bit taller, though. She gets that from me,” he said proudly.

Jorlan didn’t respond. Ryan was lost in his memories, and he hated to disturb him. But more than that, he wanted to learn about Katie as a little girl. He could very well imagine her with chubby pink cheeks and long pale hair in wild disarray as she raced along a pebbled path.

“Katie’s always been such a stubborn girl. Likes to keep me on my toes.” The detective launched into a tale about the time Katie had stuffed her dress full of frogs and tried to sneak them inside her room. “Calls herself my sixth son.”

“Yet you treat her as a servant.”

Ryan lost his soft edge. “I never mistreat her.”

“You do. Every time you command her to serve you.”

A lengthy pause ensued. Then, Ryan expelled a deep breath. “Maybe you’re right. But damn, son, women are gentle creatures and in need of protection. And men, well, we’re in need of coddling.”

Jorlan finally decided to answer the detective’s initial question. “My intentions toward your daughter are honorable.” He slid his tongue over his teeth, not liking his next confession. “I want to make her my life-mate, yet first I must convince her to accept.”

“Life-mate? Has Katie heard you say that?” He chuckled. He pushed to his feet and slapped Jorlan on the shoulder. “Good luck, son. You’re going to need it.” He was still chuckling as he strolled outside.