Gena Showalter Bundle. Gena Showalter

modern sun god. Hand shielding her eyes, she moved off the porch. A warm breeze blew by, kissing her skin. “I need to ask you a question,” she told him.

      “Uh, oh. This looks serious. You know you can ask me anything, Katie Kat.”

      She gulped. I can’t believe I’m doing this. But she had so little experience, and her brother was an expert. Or so he often claimed. She just wanted to have all necessary information at her disposal in case—when—she actually slept with Jorlan. After their explosive encounter in the bathroom, she knew it was only a matter of when and where, and she wanted the experience to be as pleasurable for him as she knew it would be for her.

      “What’s going on?” Nick asked, more serious now. “You look like you’re about to vomit.”

      “Promise me you won’t tell anyone about what I’m about to ask you.”

      “Promise.”

      Her steps hesitated. She fought the desire to shout, “Never mind,” and rush back into the safety of the house. Just blurt it out, she commanded herself. “What do you consider sexier? A woman wearing nothing at all or a woman wearing satin and lace? Or maybe black leather?”

      His jaw nearly dropped to the ground. “I am not answering that.”

      “Don’t be a baby.” She had gathered the courage to ask, so he was damn well going to answer. “I was going to ask what turns a man on most, hand stimulation or mouth, but I settled for the other question instead.”

      Frowning, appearing lost, he rubbed a hand over his eyes then pinched the bridge of his nose. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”

      Neither can I. “I want Jorlan to…you know—when we…you know.” When had she become so inarticulate?

      Nick’s head dropped back, and he gazed at the sky. Then, “Nothing. Always nothing. And that’s the only question I’m answering. Got it?”

      “I love you!” She threw her arms around him, hugged him with all of her might; she pulled back, grinning. “Now get lost. I’ve got work to do.”

      He took her by the shoulders and gave a little shake, looking more intense and grave than she’d ever seen him. “You better protect yourself, do you hear me? And I don’t mean emotionally. Use condoms. Not one, but two. And if he gives you any crap about not needing them, don’t listen.”

      “I’m a big girl, Nick. Have a little faith.” But she hadn’t given condoms or safety a second’s thought while lying on top of Jorlan on the bathroom floor. “I’ll be careful next time,” she vowed.

      “Next time!” His eyes squeezed shut, opened. “God help me. I never want this conversation mentioned again.” Muttering under his breath, he threw open his car door and dropped inside with a thump. “You’re just a baby, for Christ’s sake, and you’re talking about having sex.”

      She rolled her eyes, but he didn’t see the action because he was already racing away, leaving flying gravel and exhaust fumes in his path. Katie picked the tiny silver rocks from her hair as she strolled back into the kitchen. Jorlan stood exactly where she’d left him.

      “Let’s grab something for lunch,” she said, before he could say a word. She didn’t want to talk about their kiss. She didn’t want to talk about their encounter with Nick. She just wanted to think, to plan. Everything had to be perfect when they finally made love. “You’re hungry, right?”

      “I am always hungry.”

      The words “for you” hung in the air unsaid.

      CHAPTER TEN

      PERCEN DE LOCKE HAD scoured the galaxies for two cycles. Was Jorlan still frozen inside the stone, he wondered, or was his brother now a free man? That he did not know caused frustration to claw at his insides like the sharpest of talons, yet he also felt the first stirring of hope. He had been unable to locate his half brother so far, but he was close enough that he could sense Jorlan’s essence.

      Aye, he was close….

      AFTER JORLAN DINED on more fried chicken and mashed potatoes than should have been humanly possible, and Katie had consumed a normal amount, they worked six more hours at the Victorian. When she finally decided they’d accomplished enough for one day, her muscles were burning with fatigue. As she drove home, her stomach began churning with anticipation and nerves. All afternoon, she’d imagined making love with Jorlan.

      Cool air blasted from the truck’s air conditioner. Katie kept her attention on the road and off the man at her side. Her body was primed for contact, demanding no less than total and complete satisfaction. If she took her brother’s advice, she should drop her clothes the moment she stepped inside her house. Perhaps then Jorlan would take over. He would jerk her into his arms, slam the door shut with his foot, then kiss her into readiness.

      The idea thrilled her, brought to mind all the wonderful things they’d done earlier, but once they stepped inside her house, Katie lost her nerve and didn’t give Jorlan a chance to embrace her. She clutched her keys in her hand and inched back into the doorway. “I’ve got an errand to run.”

      He turned and faced her, frowning. Was he disappointed? “What type of errand?”

      “Be good while I’m gone,” she said, ignoring his question. “No leaving the house. You might get lost.”

      His frown deepened, and he opened his mouth to speak.

      Quick as a snap, she was on the porch, slamming the door behind her. Quicker still, she shoved her key in the gold clasp, gave a twist of her wrist and effectively clicked the lock in place. Then, she waited. The warm evening breeze penetrated the thin tank top she’d changed into. She watched the high, arching door, praying Jorlan wouldn’t follow her. One minute ticked by, two. The cherry wood remained closed. Relieved, she hopped off the porch and glanced behind her. Her house gleamed in dusk’s fading light. The white stucco, stained glass windows and crenellated rooftop created a pretty, if flashy, sight upon the hilltop.

      The drive to the store required a little more than fifteen minutes. Katie strolled down aisle after aisle. She grabbed a pair of sweatpants, two pairs of black slacks and a pair of jeans for Jorlan, thinking—happily—that he would be with her for a bit longer while he tried to win her over. Plus, they still had to find a true psychic. She scrounged through a pile of T-shirts, picking out the largest ones and praying they’d fit a WWE wrestler-type frame. Shoes came next, but she was unsure about size.

      If he’s big everywhere else, she thought, it figures his feet are also large. Katie didn’t want to contemplate the direction her thoughts went after that, but she had to. Boxers? Or briefs? Cheeks red, body overheated, she threw a packet of each in the basket.

      Next came condoms. There were so many brands, she simply didn’t know which to choose. She reached out to grab a box, any box, then froze. What if her brothers were hiding nearby, waiting to jump out and scream “Boo”? She jerked her chin left and right to make sure no one hovered nearby. Finding herself alone, Katie swiftly gathered up a box of neon-colored ribbed, two boxes of lubricated and a box of nonlubricated. No telling which type Jorlan would favor.

      She also snatched up a tube of spermicide and a tube of vaginal lubricant. She wasn’t sure if either was necessary, but wanted to err on the side of caution. Beyond a doubt, Jorlan had been with many, many women—all women who were sophisticated and knew exactly how to please him, she was sure. Katie didn’t want to rate as the worst lover across the galaxies.

      Jorlan had once mentioned massage oil and feathers. Perhaps that was a fantasy of his, a fantasy she could fulfill. After finding the oil, she stumbled upon a rainbow-colored feather duster. Perfect.

      Hmm, what next? Obviously, Jorlan liked to get kinky. He’d mentioned spanking her once, not that she planned to remind him of that anytime soon. However, Katie didn’t want him to think she couldn’t handle a little bondage, so she marched to the toy aisle and snagged a pair of plastic handcuffs