Wanderlust Read online

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ryder

  Tonight was the night. I vowed it. I had planned to do it last night, but I just couldn’t seem to bring myself to shatter the moment and the gift she’d so willingly given me. Sensing her emotions, I knew Skylar had been nervous to put herself out there in such a sexually overt manner, and I couldn’t bear to take away her triumph by telling her I wasn’t of this world.

  Closing my eyes, I smiled, knowing I’d be forever reliving the way it felt and looked to have her mouth wrapped around my cock, her wide eyes staring up as she pleasured me. Just thinking about it made me hard, again.

  Unable to deny her any longer, I promised that tonight would be the night and asked for the opportunity to please allow me to make everything special the way I wanted it to be for her. Thankfully, she’d agreed.

  That brought me to now, wandering down the aisle of the closest grocery store, contemplating a meal for the evening. One thing I was exceptionally good at was cooking. Having been alive as long as I had been, it afforded me many opportunities to try making different things. While cuisine differed greatly from planet to planet, the real secret behind cooking was becoming familiar with the different herbs, spices, and blends, and learning how to use them in combinations that were pleasurable to the pallet of the citizens of that world.

  Earth was actually much more diverse in culture than several of the civilizations I’d visited. They were still very much a divided planet—different races and nationalities grouping together amongst themselves. They hadn’t really learned how to work together in a complimentary society the way other races had, which was one of the reasons Wanderers, like me, found them so fascinating, yet a little scary at the same time. They honestly had the power to destroy themselves if they couldn’t learn to work together to resolve their differences and cease from their battles for power.

  Sadly, I often wondered if the governments would back down and allow their citizens the simple act of being free to mingle and get to know one another better, if the people might actually be able to resolve their issues, themselves.

  So much of the news that was being pushed was pitting country against country. While it was true that no world ultimately shared the same opinions as all their inhabitants, life could be lived in a peaceful manner, making war a thing of the past.

  And while many civilizations still struggled with this concept, I saw one glaringly obvious thing in common with all of them. People were prideful, self-boasting, and unable to operate from love.

  Yes, love. This planet’s rumored words of the Omnipotent rang true to me and what I knew of the Universe He’d created. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Such a simple concept that could fix so many things—yet for eons and eons, innumerable beings seemed to be unable to grasp it.

  Yet, for all the flaws out there, creation was still a magnificent, wonderful thing to behold. Each thing unique—whether it was people, plants, trees, or even the very atmosphere. No two things were exactly alike—all fingerprinted by the genius of the Creator. It was astounding!

  It was humbling. Even though I was the product of a heavenly race, I still had my flaws and I was still learning, growing, understanding. It was the nature of all beings—even ones who’d been alive as long as I had and with access to so much information.

  Placing some fresh fruit in my cart before moving toward the wine section, I contemplated the mistake I was on the verge of making. One of the stipulations of being a Wanderer was that I wasn’t supposed to reveal who I was to another race. There were plenty of civilizations that were old enough to know who we were. They recognized and welcomed our differences.

  Earth was not one of those places. I eased my conscience by telling myself that revealing the truth to Skylar was not exactly outing myself to another race, but rather revealing myself to the woman I was choosing to make my mate. I couldn’t, in good faith, bind myself to her without her having some say in the matter. She needed to know the truth. I just hoped she could handle it, and accept it. But if she didn’t, I still trusted her enough to believe she would keep my secret. As long as my revelation didn’t harm this world or how it progressed, all should be well.

  The eerie tingle in my spine caught me off guard, ripping me from my personal musings and I turned to face the two Wanderers I’d encountered in the woods, standing behind me.

  “So, we meet again?” the familiar voice of the one on the left said, his inky dark eyes glittering from under his black hair. By Earth standards, I imagined he’d be considered good looking; but all I could sense from him was that something had tainted him. I wasn’t sure what that was, but if it was bad enough to feel it, I was almost certain he was being hunted by angelic retrievers at this very moment. “Where’s your girlfriend?” he added.

  “Sadly, it didn’t work out with her,” I replied, the lie eating at me, but I didn’t like his interest in Skylar.

  He leaned forward, peering into the cart. “So you’re making a romantic candlelit dinner for yourself? Isn’t that a little odd?”

  Smirking, I shook my head, trying to ease my posture into a more casual stance. “No. I’m cooking for a new girl I just met.”

  He laughed. “Screw all the trimmings, brother. Just bend her over and fuck her good. The women on this planet like getting it hard and fast.”

  Natural use of the vulgar slang of this planet showed me he’d been here longer than I had and was obviously more at ease with the language.

  I didn’t reply, instead, turning to push my cart away from the offensive Wanderer and his silent partner.

  “What’s the matter? You don’t know how to fuck?” He goaded me and I faced him.

  “I can ‘fuck’ just fine. But I enjoy being with the entire woman, not just her body. It makes the experience much more satisfying and rewarding, I think. Her pleasure is just as important as mine.” I needed to watch out for this one. He was definitely trouble. “Esiasacahe,” brother, “What are you called?”

  “I am Mahorela, after the place of my birth,” he replied. Mahorela meant the dark heavens. “I’m called Mayer on Earth.” His gaze narrowed as he stared at me. “And what about your name?”

  “I’m Ryder,” I said, not offering him my real name. Briefly, I glanced at his companion who was clearly enjoying the exchange between Mahorela and myself. “I’d better get on my way if I’m going to have things ready for my . . . date.” I needed to practice using my words better for this era.

  “Your real name?” Mahorela said, folding his arms. “You’re the only other Wanderer we’ve run into in this area. We like to know who is in and out of the place.”

  This guy was certainly on the territorial side. “Well, I’m new to the area.” My mind flitted through different programing I’d been watching. “Just getting my feet wet, so to speak.”

  The second Wanderer burst into laughter. “That’s not the only thing you’ve been getting wet, is it?”

  It was all I could do to join the laughter, faking my amusement as if I agreed with him. “Well, as I stated before, I like to fuck.”

  “Don’t we all?” He slapped Mahorela on the shoulder. “Lighten up, just ask him if he wants to join us.”

  “Join you?” I was confused.

  Mahorela sighed. “We thought you might like in on our action.”

  “Action?” I still wasn’t following.

  Voice dropping, he glanced around. “We like sharing our women with each other and have found a third male can make it even more pleasurable. It’s . . . stimulating . . . for all three to take a female at once. If you’re interested, perhaps we could even join with you and your new girl tonight.”

  The thought of either of these men around Skylar was enough to make me want to gag. I forced a chuckle. “I can see you’re adventurous, but I think I’d prefer to ride this one solo. Thanks, though.” I glanced at my basket. “I really have to get going. Good luck to you both.”

  “Wait,” Mahorela said, again. “You never told us your real name.”
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  Here it came. There was no avoiding it. “I am Ecarinu.”

  “Ecarinu?” A flash of disbelief crossed his face and he took a step backward. “The Ecarinu?”

  I decided to make it easy for him, translating my name into English so there would be no mistaking what I was saying. “I am Praise and Glory, son of the great Avenging.”

  “Enjoy your date,” Mahorela said, and the two turned and fled.

  ***

  My mind kept drifting back to the conversation I’d had in the store as I prepared dinner and set the table in anticipation of Skylar’s arrival. I was feeling pretty confident that I’d seen the last of Mahorela and his still unnamed companion. I wished I could’ve made it through the conversation without dropping names, but the two just couldn’t seem to get it through their heads that I wasn’t interested in joining in their twisted bedroom schemes.

  Anyone who had half a mind and anything remotely to do with the whole Supreme Being, Angel, Demon, Wanderer, Demigod, Immortal scene, knew who my father was—and my mother, too, for that matter. Tales of their travels, battles, and love, had traveled far and wide throughout the Universe, greatly embellished at times, but still amazing, nonetheless.

  I, too, had taken part in some of their battles, on occasion, earning a reputation of my own; but I much preferred exploring to fighting. In my mind there were too many amazing things to be seen to be wasting time fighting wars—holy or unholy. It wasn’t that I couldn’t fight, the fact was that I just didn’t want to.

  Things like pursuing Skylar and a future with her, were much more interesting to me. Knowing I’d met someone who I wanted to spend a lifetime with, something I had given up believing was possible—now that intrigued me.

  Glancing at the clock, I realized I was pressing my time limit if I was going to be ready before Skylar got here. Placing the unlit candles on the table, I went to the oven and removed the Mediterranean Flatbread I’d made, placing it on a wire rack before flipping on a rock music station I liked and had discovered on my television. For as long as I could remember, I’d always been drawn to music with a heavy beat, no matter the time or place.

  Hurrying to the bathroom, I quickly showered and shaved before slipping into a slightly dressier button up shirt I paired with my jeans, leaving it untucked and rolling the sleeves partway up my arms. I wanted to look nice, but not like I was trying too hard.

  Stepping back to survey myself, I was surprised how nervous I was. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure if it was because I was about to reveal my secret, or because I wanted to tell Skylar I was in love with her, or because I might finally get to consummate our relationship. Then again, it could be the idea of her not being able to handle any of it and leaving me for good. Everything was hanging in the balance, tonight.

  Taking a deep breath, I exited the bathroom, intent on going into the kitchen and getting the salad out of the refrigerator. Pausing at the door into the guest room, I stared at the closet, knowing one side of it held the portal into my secret room. It would be so easy to duck inside and grab a vial of some of my herbs and add them to the salad. It would be just a little something extra to help keep Skylar calm, so she could handle the shock better, which would give me more time to explain things to her.

  Gritting my teeth, I closed my eyes for a second, the decision weighing heavily inside me, before I continued on down the hall. No. If I was going to tell her the truth, she had to hear it when she was completely in control of herself. I couldn’t have her accusing me of manipulating her later on. This was it—all or nothing.

  Entering the kitchen, I stopped short, my breath catching in my throat and I swallowed hard. Skylar was sprawled on the island, posing like the girl I seen on the mud flaps of big semi-trucks, wearing nothing but a very see-through lacy green bra and very skimpy matching panties. Her glorious red hair cascaded in beautiful waves behind her.

  “I thought we could start with dessert first,” she said, biting her lip and raising a can of whipped cream. Slowly, she sprayed the fluffy white concoction in a trail from the hollow of her neck, between her breasts, over her stomach, and down to the edge of her panty line.

  Eyes following her every movement as if they were attached to a string, I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t blink. I couldn’t even seem to close my gaping jaw. In fact, the only thing that seemed to be capable of moving was the rising bulge that threatened to spring out of my pants with a life of its own.

  Never had I been so tempted to abandon all my carefully laid plans, the desire to bury myself in her sweet body was mammoth.

  How in the name of Hell was I supposed to resist this?

  “Skylar . . . .” I said, not really knowing where I was heading. “I. . . I . . . wow. Just wow.”

  She beamed; clearly pleased with the deep affect she had on me. “You like?”

  Taking a step toward her, I knew I was losing this battle. “Like doesn’t even begin to cover it.” She hadn’t even touched me and already I was aching for her stronger than I ever had before.

  “Then what’s stopping you?” she asked, her gaze wandering over me.

  “I was hoping we could . . . could . . . .” Oh, by all that was holy, what the hell was I hoping we could do? All I knew is that my lips wanted to run over her body as my tongue lapped her up like the sweetest of nectar. Of course, my lower half apparently had a completely different plan, operating entirely with a mind of its own.

  A ringing sound burst the hypnotic bubble I was in and I shook my head, trying to clear it, glancing around.

  “You’re phone’s ringing,” I said, stating the obvious.

  “Ignore it.”

  I couldn’t. It just might be the lifesaver I needed to keep this night from sinking too far in the wrong direction. “It might be important,” I said, grasping her bag and retrieving the device. “The caller ID is showing Silver Falls Hospital,” I added, extending it toward her.

  Snatching it from my hand, she didn’t waste a second, answering immediately. “Hello?”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Skylar

  Everything was a blur.

  “What’s going on, Mom,” I asked, my heart pounding.

  “I don’t want to alarm you, Skylar, but Grandma had an accident this evening. She’s taken a bad fall and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.” Worry laced my mother’s words.

  “Is she going to be okay?” Already my mind was trying to formulate a plan of action, frantically trying to see whether taking a few days off to go home would affect my studies. I’d only just started Brayson and didn’t want to jeopardize my placement for anything less than a true emergency.

  “I don’t know, sweetheart. I haven’t really been able to talk to anyone, but apparently her leg is broken and there’s some concern that the fall may have been caused by a stroke—she is showing some weakness on one side of her body. They’ve taken her for x-rays and a CT scan, so I’m still waiting for news. ”

  The word stroke terrified me. “I’m coming home.”

  “No, stay there and keep going to class. I’ll let you know of any developments and if you need to come home, okay? Let’s wait for more news. I don’t want it to mess up your classes. I just wanted you to know what was going on.”

  “How are you doing?” I knew my mom and grandma were close.

  Nana Jane had taken care of my sister and me after school while my parents worked. She’d been my childhood best friend, confidant, and the one who had never failed to support me in anything I chose to pursue. She’d passed on her love for exploring and experiencing new things to me. And now, all I could see was the image of her sprawled across the floor, hurt.

  “I’m hanging in there—just a little anxious for some news.”

  That was the clincher for me. I couldn’t sit here knowing my mom was upset and my Nana was hurt, too. “I don’t think I’ll be able to concentrate on anything unless I see her for myself. Plus, I want to be with you.”

  Mom sighed on the other end. “You know you�
�re always welcome, Skylar. I simply don’t want to put your studies in jeopardy.”

  “I’m coming,” I said, firmly. No one was going to sway my opinion.

  “Okay.” I could hear the relief in her voice with that one simple word. “Drive safely, and don’t speed. It won’t do any of us any good if you get in trouble on the way here.”

  “I’ll be careful, Mom. I promise. See you soon.”

  “Love you.”

  “Love you, too. Bye.”

  Unaware I was shaking until Ryder gently took the phone from me, I was grateful when he pulled me into his arms. Obviously our plans for the evening were postponed. The suggestive dance performance I’d practiced before coming to his apartment—even the beautiful lingerie I still wore would be going to waste. But nothing was more important to me than getting home.

  All around me I could see the evidence of the night Ryder had planned—even the air was filled with the delicious aromas of his hard work. So much effort had been made for me, for us, and now it was for nothing.

  “I’m sorry to ruin our evening,” I said, staring up at him. “I need to go.”

  There was obvious disappointment in his eyes, but he slowly shook his head. “No. You need to be with your family. We can revisit this later, at a more appropriate time.”

  “Thank you for understanding.” Popping up on my tiptoes, I brushed a light kiss against his lips before stepping away, grimacing as I looked at him. “Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry! I got whipped cream all over you.”

  He laughed. “Don’t worry about it. They’re just clothes. You’d better get going.” Grabbing my bag and sundress from the back of one of the kitchen chairs, he brought them to me. “I’m thinking you may want to put this on before you leave, though.”

  Taking the items from him, I blushed. “Yeah, that might be beneficial.” I quickly slid the dress over my head and slipped my sandals on. Turning toward the door, I glanced back at him. “I really am sorry.”

  “Don’t worry. You’ll be seeing me very soon. Now go get packed.” He smacked me on the butt, chuckling as he held the door for me.