Page 296 of Nobody's Girl

“Why do you say it like that, Eden?” I ask, finding myself nervous about hearing the answer.

“You’ll see.” His eye twitches. “Well, one of our people works at the zoo and he took us to a closed off area they don’t use anymore. It used to be an enclosure for the giraffes, I think.”

“Okay, that’s not too bad,” I say.

“Um … let me see. How should I tell you this part?” he asks himself. “You know how sometimes people who get drunk pull their clothes off? Well, it’s because they feel constricted by them. The clothes actually make it harder for them to breathe. So, as you might have guessed, which I see by the blush on your face that you have, I had to undress you. I also had to ask Kyle to help me.”

“Wait a minute. I was lying on the ground, I assume. And I assume you covered me with something. So how much did he see?” I ask him.

“Okay, back to that then, huh? Like I said, time was of the essence and it became quite clear to me we had to hurry. So there was no time to go looking for something to cover you with. He saw everything, but I have to say he was a gentleman and didn’t ogle you,” he says.

“Oh, God,” I say, sitting up and leaning over. “I think I’m going to throw up.”

Eden stands up. “Should I take you to the bathroom, Alyssa?”

I sit back. “No, please continue. Don’t let my devastating embarrassment stop you,” I say, somewhat sarcastically.

He sits down next to me, taking my hand in his. “Well, as embarrassing as it is, everything worked. I transformed, then I was able to get you to come out of the drug’s effects pretty quickly after I got into your head, and got you to change too. Then I used my wings to blow air in your face, waking you up,” he tells me.

“And now we’re back home, and all that’s left to do is hide away from Kyle forever,” I whine.

Eden laughs a little. “If it makes you feel any better at all, I was embarrassed too. I never thought I would have to get my wife’s ex-boyfriend to help me undress her so we could turn into birds together and fly away,” he says.

I have to laugh a little as well. “We’re some messed up people, Eden. That’ll probably scar Kyle forever,” I say.

“He didn’t seem to mind,” Eden tells me as he laughs.

I blush seven times harder than before. “Eden, don’t tell me that!”

He smiles and stands up. “We need to get cleaned up and dressed. I bet everyone will be here soon,” he tells me as he pulls me up, then leads me to the bedroom.

He opens the door to our room. I’m pleased to see the glass on the balcony door has been replaced. It looks like nothing ever happened in here. I find I missed this place and my beloved jacuzzi tub.

CHAPTER 56

EDEN

I sit on the bed, watching my mate as she braids her hair. “I’m so glad that’s over, Alyssa. You have no idea the relief I feel, knowing you’re safe again.”

She rises, done fixing herself up. “Ready to go downstairs? They’re sure to be here by now.”

Her confidence is back and she glows with it. She chose a tight-fitting, navy blue dress, which fits her body like a glove. It occurs to me that many men would rather their wives not dress so sexy. Yet I love her to be full of confidence, and if she feels like dressing this way, I’ll be damned if I let some insecurity in me bring her down.

Taking her by the waist, it reminds me of how I held her when I brought her home from the hospital after her accident. I smile at her, then place a gentle kiss on her perfect cheek. “I have to hold you close to me right now, princess. I almost lost you today.”

She giggles as she leans into me and we walk down the staircase. “I love you and relish your attention. Your quick thinking saved us all.”

Niles is at the door to the formal dining room. “Your friends and family have been waiting for you. Please come in and sit down,” he instructs us.

“Good evening, Niles. It’s so nice to see you again. I’ve missed you,” Alyssa tells him.

His eyebrows raise slightly. “Well, I missed you too,” he states stoically.

My eyes scan the room quickly. I notice Galchobar is here, as well as my family and Alyssa’s, and Kyle and Laura. My eyes catch Kyle’s. He’s staring at my wife, his mouth slightly open.

Alyssa blushes and clings to me. She sends me, ‘I can’t do this. Get me out of here.’

I tighten my arm around her waist and send her, ‘You got this, princess. Keep up that confidence you have back.’