“What? Why?” Alicia started to rise but Max’s hand stopped her.
“My father was the tribal leader. So was my grandfather. To these people I am royalty. In the beginning I fought it, but as time went on I learned fighting was futile.” He nodded toward the crowd. “They totally ignored me and my rants.”
“That, I can’t imagine.” She relaxed in the chair. So they had a little hero worship going on. She still didn’t like being the center of attention like this, but she’d go along for now. “But why am I sitting in a fancy chair just like yours?”
“Wishful thinking?” He gave her a toothy grin. “You’re the first outsider I’ve ever brought here. They’re just hopeful. They don’t mean anything by it. They’re harmless, but pushy. Very, very pushy.”
***
“Dinner was fun.” Alicia walked arm and arm with Max and his sister back to her home. The evening sounds added to the safe feeling she had on this island. “I didn’t know you had so many talented people here. The nose player was my favorite.”
“That was my cousin, James.” Patrick stuck his head over Kat’s shoulder to give his two cents. “He’s our star.”
“And you’re proud of it.” Alicia laughed. “Gotta love family.”
“Yeah, and I need to go see a couple more people before they disown me.” He looked at Max. “See you back at the house?”
Max nodded. “It’s still a little early. Would you honor me with a walk? I can show you some of my favorite hangouts.”
“It’s a little dark.” Alicia didn’t want to tell him no, but soon she wouldn’t be able to see that far in the darkened wooded area.
“I promise you’ll be in a well-lit area most of the time, but we could wait ‘til morning if you want to.” Max looked a little crest fallen.
“I’m not quite ready to go in.” She smiled at him. Poor guy. He really wanted to spend more time with her. Since they had arrived she had spent very little time with him and found she missed his constant presence. “Need to walk off all the food I ate.”
He gave her another big toothy smile. “Come on then. I’ll show you my world.”
Must be the island. That or she was starting to believe all that werewolf nonsense. She noticed whenever anyone smiled at her the first thing she noticed was their teeth. They seemed overly bright and large.
They walked arm in arm along a worn path through a small copse of trees. “My parents’ home is right over there. The little white house.”
“Max, all the houses are white. I’m amazed you guys still do the thatched roof thing.”
“We like being close to nature. The thatched roof comes from our farms and it helps keep people off our island. We can do those ourselves.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “We don’t do well with uninvited guests.”
“Glad I didn’t just show up one time.” The house sat in a cleared area. Flowers grew along the side of the house. The lawn was trimmed and well cared for. Someone took good care of it while Max was in Charlotte. “Is this where you’re staying?”
“No. My sister keeps the house up for me while I’m away, but normally when I do come to visit, Patrick’s parents insist I stay with them. I like to come here when I need to be alone. The memories comfort me.” He steered her around the back. “This is where Patrick and I played as children.”
Alicia wondered what it had been like. She imagined them running around, causing each other trouble, getting underfoot. “You two must have been little terrors.”
“Oh, yeah.” Max tightened his hold on her shoulders for a moment. “Mom chased us around with a broom all the time.”
“What happened to your parents? If I can ask?”
“Mom passed a couple years ago. Dad I lost when I was a teenager.” Max’s voice dropped a little.
The memory must’ve been hard on him. She decided to let the conversation go. “A broom, huh? Wish I had seen it.”
“You still might get a chance when Patrick and I start rough housing at my sister’s. She’ll come after us with a broom when we get a little out of hand. Kat always keeps one near the door.”
“God, I hope I’m here long enough to see that.” She placed her hand on her heart. “It would make my whole visit.”
“That’s just wrong.” They started toward the front of the house where the woods were a lot closer. He dropped his arm so he could lead her by the hand.
“What? To see someone push you around? Literally? It’s priceless.” Alicia squeezed his hand. “It’s okay, though. Whatever I see I’ll keep close to my heart so I can pull it out and look at it whenever you’re being a jerk.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. In one heartbeat she went from walking beside him to being chased by Max. Laughter poured out of her. When he finally caught her he pinned her against a tree. He looked into her eyes before shifting his gaze to her mouth.
No words passed between them. There was no need.
His lips captured hers. Heat infused her blood, making her forget about the slight nip in the air. The gentle pressure of his mouth started a tingling in her core. She felt flushed and antsy.
Alicia needed to feel his skin against hers. Somewhere in the back of her mind her consciousness told her to return to the warmth and safety of Kat’s house, but she ignored it. She hadn’t played it safe with this man once, why start now.
A cool breeze ruffled the hairs on her arms. When did he take her coat off? Warm hands brushed against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. Reminding her she wanted to feel his body as well.
She slipped her hands under his coat to tug his shirt out of the waistband of his pants. He sucked in his breath when her cool fingers pressed against his hot skin.
“How the heck did your fingers get so cold?” He pulled her hands forward and rubbed them briskly with his own.
She saw a spark ignite in his eyes just as he gave her a sultry smile. What was he up to now?
He took one hand and brought it to his mouth. He kissed the palm of her hand before drawing one then another finger into his mouth. Once he finished with one hand he started on the second. Slow, methodical and arousing. Alicia felt the heat from his mouth all the way to her toes.
A moan filled the air. Was it hers?
“Max.” Her voice came out deep and throaty. “Maybe we should get back?”
He sighed and rested his forehead against hers. “You’re right. As much as I’d like to pursue this further it wouldn’t be right.”
She didn’t want to stop either. In fact, she wasn’t sure why she stopped him. Could it have been the thought of his parents’ spirits being here?
“Let’s head back to Kat’s.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “She’s a bit old-fashioned and will wonder what we’re up to if we’re gone too long.”
She smiled. “Your sister is very nice, by the way.”
“Mom always liked her best.” Alicia’s shocked look made him laugh. “She’s my sister, what do you expect.”
“Better behavior.” She looked up at him from the crook of his arm. “She can beat you with a broom, remember?”
“I have a feeling you’re not going to let me forget.” He gave her a quick squeeze.
“Not for a while.” The house came into view. “A long while.”
“About time you two showed up.” She stood on the front porch with a broom in her hand. “I was afraid I’d have to get the dogs after you.”
“Dogs?” Alicia stepped onto the porch with Max right at her heels. “I haven’t seen a dog here.”
“Oh, they’re around.” Kat smiled and headed inside. “How about some tea?”
“That would be great, Sis.” Max held the door for Alicia then led her to the couch. “Got any of your famous brownies?”
“Maybe. Depends on whether you get up and help me.” The lilt softened the words, but the effect was the same. Max jumped up and trotted into the kitchen.
Just as he walked through the doorway he turned around. “You think her tea is great, just wait.”
Doors banged, plates rattled. An oops then a crash had Max hightailing it out of the kitchen just as fast as he entered. “Sorry, Kat. I can replace that.”
“Fine. You can go to Mrs. O’Malley and make your own. She fires the kiln once a week.” She stepped into the living room with a wooden spoon in her hand. “I should hit myself for forgetting how clumsy you are.”
Alicia grinned and looked at Max. “Clumsy, too? This day just gets better and better.” She stood up. “Can I help, Kat? I’m not clumsy.”
“We’ll see.” Kat headed back into the kitchen. “You’ve been with my brother too much.”
“Hey! I’m smarter than that.” She stepped into the small kitchen. “Cups?”
Kat pointed to a cabinet to her right. “You like my brother, don’t you?”
Alicia wasn’t sure how to answer that question. “He’s a nice guy.”
A burst of laughter filled the room. “Nice guy? Maxi? Come on now, he drives you crazy, yet there’s something about him, isn’t there?”
“Are you reading my mind, too?”
“Too?” She took the mugs from Alicia and filled them.
“Yes. Max does the same thing to me all the time.” His comment about being able to smell her moods had her wondering about Kat. She seemed to have the same heightened senses. Then she shook her head. Werewolves couldn’t be real. “He says or does something that I had just been thinking about. It’s a bit disconcerting.”
“Sorry. It runs in the family.” Kat placed the cups along with cream, sugar and spoons on a small wooden tray and picked it up. “We don’t mean to but we sense how you are feeling. Mum had a bit of druid in her.”
“Great. Obnoxious and mystic.” That made more sense to her. She followed Kat into the living room, carrying the brownies. “I’m blessed.”
“Maxi, your girl has a great sense of humor.” She sat the tray down. “Now that you two have had a chance to settle in I have a bit of news for you.”
Alicia sat down the plate and took her seat before picking up her drink. What could Kat possibly have to tell her?
“Sonora is here.” She sat in a large overstuffed chair opposite the couch. “She arrived about an hour ago.”
Max picked up his cup and took a large swallow. “I wondered how long it would take her to get here.”
“She means you no harm, Max.” Kat leaned forward and picked up her cup. “She just wants to have her life back.”
“She has broken too many laws. Hurt too many people. I can’t let that go unanswered. You know that.”
“I’m just telling you what I feel you should know.” She dropped a cube of sugar in her tea. “You take that information and use it the best way you can.”
Alicia looked from one to the other. What were they talking about? Once again people were talking to Max like he was a leader to them. Why?
“I need to talk to her.” He placed an empty cup on the coffee table. “I promise not to do more than that until I find out why she’s here.”
“Why is it so important to you?” asked Alicia. “I don’t understand why you guys keep talking about Sonora like she’s a fragile piece of glass.”
“Because she is. She came from this island, too.” Max took Alicia’s hand in his. “She was devastated years ago when tragedy struck. Since that point we’ve had problems reaching her. Instead of forgiving and forgetting, she believes the world owes her something. She has shown no heart when dealing with people who consider her family.”
“Is that why you didn’t want me to talk to her?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, come on. She is family, no matter what you say.” Kat clanged her cup against the saucer. “You don’t have to strong arm her to see things your way.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
Alicia snorted and took a sip.
“What?” Max looked at her.
“You? Taking other people’s feelings into consideration? Not your style.” She looked from him to Kat. “Everyone treats him like he is royalty and I think it’s gone to his head.”
“I agree.” Kat winked at Max. “But he’s still the one who has to confront her.”
“Why? What is so important about this woman that all of you freak out when she’s around and why must Max be the one? I just don’t get it.”
“You never told her?”
Max gave his sister a pained look. “There’s a lot she doesn’t know.”
“Yeah. Another of his wonderful traits. He believes in keeping me in the dark. Afraid I wouldn’t be able to handle what he has to tell me.”
Kat gave her a lop-sided grin. “There are a few things that might surprise you about us. Guess we’ll discover if you’ll freak out soon enough, but we need to address Sonora. She’s on her way here now.”
The door flew open. “I have arrived.” On her neck hung a large red diamond. She had a Tear.