Chapter 60
60
M elvale held Pari’s hand the entire taxi ride back to the apartment. He couldn’t stop smiling at her, and every time he did, she blushed. At last! She’d called him her boyfriend! Now he could really make some progress. Of course, he’d have to check on some things regarding human mating rituals, but he was confident he’d have no problem winning her now.
His face fell. Oh, but wait. He wasn’t the only one that would be trying to win her. One word from Pari and the other side of him would rise to the surface so fast his head would spin.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
He looked at her and swallowed. “Pari, could you… do me a favor?”
She gave him a shy smile. “Sure.”
He twisted on the seat to face her. “Don’t call forth the other me.”
She blinked in confusion. “Why?”
He took a deep breath. “This is going to sound selfish, but I’d really like to enjoy some time with you with this side.”
A smile formed on her face. “I like this side of you.”
“So do I.” He smiled. “I’m afraid I’m not yet familiar with the other. You don’t mind, do you?”
“No,” she said with a shake of her head. “Not at all.” Pari smiled and looked at their joined hands. “Are you hungry?”
Melvale gazed into her eyes. “Yes.”
Another blush crept into her cheeks. “What would you like?”
He swallowed hard. You , but he couldn’t tell her that yet. Instead, he reached over and brushed her bangs to the side. “Whatever your heart desires.”
Her face broke into a grin. “Sometimes I wonder if you’re for real.”
“Oh, I’m real, Kitten. And I want to show you how much.”
She gave him a half-smile, and he was going to have to be very careful not to go too fast and scare her. “Lunch,” he said. “Shall we stop somewhere or wait until we get home?”
“They’re expecting us,” she reminded him.
He smiled. “Some of our party is. Oh! Party!” He smacked a hand against one side of his face, making her giggle. “Do we have everything?”
“Archer and Kitty have a list. They’re supposed to be getting the rest.” She fidgeted. “I… need to grab something from Uncle Al for the party.” Her eyes flicked to his. “But you can’t look.”
Melvale grinned. “A present perhaps?”
“Maybe.” She pressed her lips together, but it did nothing to wipe the smile off her face.
By the Creator! She was so adorable he almost couldn’t stand it. She was blooming before his eyes!
He sighed happily, squeezed her hand, and let them sit in companionable silence the rest of the ride home.
The taxi let them off in front of her building, and he thought of the risk they were taking, then shoved the thought aside. They would be returning to the palace tomorrow, and he could show her his world. Their world.
Melvale escorted her inside, and they stopped in front of Al’s apartment. “Go upstairs,” she said.
He glanced at the doors and back. “No, kitten. I’ll close me eyes.” He did.
Pari giggled. “How are you going to go upstairs if your eyes are closed?”
“I’ll manage. Now fetch what you need and let’s go.”
She didn’t say anything more and knocked on Al’s door.
Melvale heard the door open. “Pari,” Al said. “What are you doing here? The party isn’t starting already is it?”
“No, Uncle Al, but I need a certain someone’s present.”
Silence, then, “Uh, why does he have his eyes closed?”
“Because I’m not supposed to see it,” Melvale said and giggled.
Al sighed. “How about I bring it up when I come?”
“Will you?” Pari said.
Melvale looked at him. “Should I be concerned about your back?” He eyed Al a moment. “Hmm?”
“It might be bigger than a bread box, but I can handle it. Now if you don’t mind, I’m watching the sports channel.”
“Thanks, Uncle Al.” Pari kissed him on the cheek. “We’ll see you later.” She turned to Melvale. “Let’s go.”
He took her by the hand, waved to Al, and up the stairs they went. Melvale fought the urge to carry her. He wanted to hold her with every fiber of his being, but didn’t dare move too fast. Surprisingly, his other side had been unusually quiet. Should he be worried? He didn’t think so. Still, he paused now and then to see if he could sense the Alpha within him and came up with nothing.
When they reached the fourth floor Pari turned to him. “When are we leaving?”
“Leaving? Oh! Yes, leaving. Tomorrow, precious one.” He watched her pull her key from her new bag. She clutched it to her like it was a giant diamond instead of a lady’s handbag. But to her, it might as well be a big, fat jewel.
“Pari…”
She swallowed hard and looked at him. “I’m not sure I can say goodbye to Uncle Al and Uncle Leo.”
He tucked a finger under her chin and bent to her. “I can bring you back to visit so long as it’s safe.” Melvale brought his forehead to hers.
“Why do you do that?” she asked.
“What?”
“This.” She put her free hand on his head, then on hers.
He smiled. “Where I come from, it’s a sign of great affection.” Melvale slowly drew back. “So, I guess this means I have great affection for you.”
Her eyes widened.
He bent to her again. “Much affection, my little Pari.”
Her eyes grew wider still, and it was all he could do not to kiss her. Instead, he let his eyes convey his feelings, and locked gazes with her.
A tiny gasp escaped, and her lips parted. It was an invitation if he ever saw one. He let out the breath he was holding and slowly bent to her again.
What sounded like a herd of buffalo coming up the stairs made him straighten and shove him behind her. “Archer?” he barked.
“Aye?” Came from what sounded like the second floor.
Melvale sighed in frustration. So close! He smiled at Pari, then scooted her toward the door. “Kitty and Archer are back.”
She nodded, red-faced, and unlocked the door. Did she know he was about to kiss her? They went inside and Melvale stiffened. But it wasn’t because he sensed any danger, but he did sense Pari’s trepidation. He followed her into her bedroom and watched her set her new handbag on top of the dresser. She looked at it a moment then turned to him, her cheeks pink. “I could make some sandwiches.”
His eyes drank her in. “Whatever you want.” Melvale closed the distance between them. “I’ll help you.” He cupped her face with a hand. “Pari…” Melvale swallowed hard. If he didn’t taste her, he thought he might die. He slowly bent his face to hers. Her eyes were wide again, and he picked up the change in her pheromones. Oh bliss… she wanted to be kissed!
“Look what we got!” Archer said gleefully as he stepped into the room. “Watermelon!”
Melvale straightened, trying to ignore thoughts of maiming the man, and looked at the huge watermelon Archer was holding and sighed. “You are planning on sharing that with the rest of us, aren’t you?”
“Of course. I got my own.” He gave them a toothy smile and turned to leave. “Come see what else we brought. Oh, and we got lunch!”
Melvale sighed again. “Well, Kitten, we’d best go see what…”
She hugged him.
Melvale froze. “Kitten?”
Pari tightened her arms around him. “Thank you, for everything.”
A flicker of panic ignited in his hearts, and he stiffened. “For?”
She looked up at him. “Like I said. Everything.” Pari gave him a big smile, let him go, and started to leave. “Are you coming?”
Melvale watched her retreating form with wonder and followed. He might not have been able to kiss her, but a voluntary hug on her part was a definite win!
Later that evening Pari arranged cookies on a plate humming Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas . Before she knew it, a beautiful voice joined in, and her jaw dropped. Was that Shona?
She brought the plate of cookies into her tiny living room where everyone was gathered. Shona stood by the tree with Dallan and was singing to him!
He gazed at her with such a look of adoration, Pari’s eyes teared up. She’d seen Melvale give her a similar look, but not as intense.
Pari watched Shona sing and noticed an instrumental accompaniment. Where was it coming from? Her little speaker was on the mantle, but she didn’t see anyone’s phone near it.
Melvale entered the living room, dressed almost entirely in black. His clothes looked like some sort of old-fashioned uniform. He wore a white shirt, a black double-breasted vest with brass buttons and fancy embroidery, a jacket of black velvet, black pants and his black boots. Could he have brought the outfit from the palace?
Her eyes raked over him. She was wearing the little black dress he’d purchased for her and a pair of black pumps with kitten heels. Her only jewelry was a simple pair of pearl earrings, and a pearl necklace Kitty insisted she wear. Pari had no idea where she’d obtained the jewelry but was happy to wear it. The ensemble made her feel elegant and sophisticated. Something she never fancied herself being.
“You look amazing,” Melvale said as Shona’s song ended.
Dallan didn’t hesitate to take his wife into his arms and kiss her.
Pari blushed and turned to Melvale, giving the couple their moment. “Thanks.” She offered him the plate. “Cookie?”
Dallan came up for air. “Chocolate chip?”
Everyone laughed.
There came a knock at the door. “I’ll get it,” Melvale said. “It’s probably your uncles.”
She smiled and hoped Uncle Al didn’t slip and tell Melvale what his present was over the last couple of days.
Melvale sauntered into the room carrying his gift! “Uncle Al…” she whined.
Her uncle held up his hands. “It’s heavy after carrying it up four flights of stairs. I was more than happy to pass it off.”
Melvale gave the box a shake. “I wonder what it could be?”
“Stop that,” Pari scolded. “Put it under the tree with the others.”
She smiled at the childlike look on Melvale’s face. “Can I open it now?” he begged with bright eyes.
“No!”
He laughed and headed for the tree. Pari thought she saw him stiffen but pushed the thought aside when another knock sounded at the door.
“That would be Leo,” Uncle Al said.
Pari went to the door, opened it, and gasped in shock as Jeffrey grabbed her.
Melvale was in his face so fast Pari didn’t have time to blink. She now stood in the corner near Mr. Watson’s door as Melvale held Jeffery at arm’s length by the shirt collar, his body stiff and leaning precariously backwards over the stairs. “Melvale!”
Melvale eyes weren’t even blue.
“Oh no,” Pari breathed. What did this mean?
“Let go of me you bast…” Jeffrey’s eyes rounded to saucers as Melvale got in his face.
“You,” he growled, but without the low gravelly voice of Bondrah. “I’d be happy to oblige you.” He held him at arm’s length again and lifted one finger from Jeffery’s collar, then another.
“Hey man!” Jeffrey cried. “No harm done, right? Tell him, Pari!”
She gaped at them as Melvale lifted another finger. Jeffrey’s arms were flailing at this point.
“Pari!” Jeffrey cried. “Tell this nut job to let go!”
“I don’t think you want him to do that,” she said.
Jeffrey froze when he realized Melvale held him with one last finger. “Who is this guy?!”
Pari stepped forward. “My boyfriend!”
Melvale’s eyes flicked to her as he smiled. “Did you hear that? I’m her boyfriend!”
Jeffrey scowled then spit in his face.
Melvale slowly wiped the spittle away with his free hand. “Bad move, Jeff.” He let go.
“Ow! Oh! Dak! Gah! Ack! Uff.”
Pari watched Jeffrey bounce down the stairs to land in a heap at Uncle Leo’s feet. Her uncle held the casserole dish he was carrying off to the side to look at him. “Well, if it isn’t Jeffrey.” He bent a little closer. “Should I call you an ambulance?”
“No,” Melvale drawled. “I’ll see him out.”
Jeffrey groaned, took one look at Melvale coming down the stairs, and scrambled to his feet. “I’m going!” He hurried to the stairs leading to the second floor and stumbled his way down.
Uncle Leo looked up the stairwell at Pari. “I’m sorry. He buzzed and said he was delivering a pizza to Mrs. Ferndale on the second floor. I thought maybe she stepped out.”
She breathed a sigh of relief as Melvale didn’t go any further than the landing below. “It’s okay, Uncle Leo.”
Her uncle came up the stairs. “No, Pariwink, it’s not. Kwaku told us this morning he and Melvale were taking you someplace to protect you. Some sort of protective custody.”
Her jaw went slack as she looked down the stairs at Melvale. His eyes were narrowed on the next set of stairs. Everyone heard the building’s front door below open and shut, and Pari breathed a sigh of relief. “They told you what?”
Uncle Leo frowned. “Haven’t they told you?”
Melvale started toward them. “We were going to.” He stopped before her. “Let’s get you inside.”
She stared up at him and nodded. “Yes, and you can start talking.”