His inner beast grumbled. Not strong enough to cloud his mind, but strong enough for Azazel to clamp down on it to keep it from trying to reach out to Toni’s mind. “Tell me,” he whispered, keeping his tone open and soothing. He leaned back, mourning the distance as he let his hand fall from her full breast. He licked his lips, savoring her flavor as he did his best to collect himself. To give her some space even though she didn’t move from his lap.
Toni’s crystal-blue eyes darted around before focusing on the radiant sun setting in the distance. “I make it a point to try to be honest with myself.” She took a deep breath before her gaze swung back to him. “And to be honest with those I get involved with.”
Azazel stilled when she said, “get involved”. He gave a brief nod to encourage her to continue.
“Usually, I let things develop naturally.”
Toni’s slight grin and colored cheeks told him her confession embarrassed her.
“Dissecting a relationship has never been on my agenda.” She waved a hand between them. “But the strong feelings I have for you are, um, hard to take in.” Grasping his hand resting on her knee, she gave him a beseeching look. “And I admit it scares the hell out of me.” She bit her bottom lip.
Azazel fought the urge to pull her back into his arms. With sheer control, he concentrated on releasing the tension between his shoulders. Thankfully, the beast remained subdued, so he didn’t have to fight on that front. He squeezed her hand back. “Believe me, you’re not the only one scared.” If they were being honest here, she would have to know she wasn’t the only one with those fears. He looked into her eyes and confessed a personal secret he’d never told anyone before. “I’ve been alone all my life. I’ve never allowed anyone to get too close, terrified that if they did, they’d reject me.” Especially that hidden part of himself he’d vowed to never show anyone.
Toni’s eyes bulged before she sputtered a burst of laughter. “Heol!” She exclaimed in Korean. “If nothing else, the fact that you actually admitted that just proves you are exactly who you claim to be—an alien guy from the past with just enough humanity to be delightfully awkward.” Chuckling, she wiped a tear from her eye. “Or you’re gay.” She looked him up and down. “Which you’re not, are you?”
His grin turned sultry. “I can guarantee with one hundred percent certainty I am only attracted to the opposite sex.” He pulled her close with half-lidded eyes, leaning close enough to continue where they left off. Before his lips met hers, an incessant ping tapped at his consciousness.
Dammit!
What he wouldn’t give to ignore it. But if he did, it not only wouldn’t go away, but it would also get worse.
With a frustrated huff, he straightened and increased the distance from her. “I’m so sorry,hebat. But I’m afraid our time here is coming to an end. JR14 is trying to get my attention, so I must finish this pleasantDreamwalk. Please prepare yourself to be awakened.”
Toni rested her head on his upper chest, where her deep sigh resonated through his skin. “Okay, but can we do this again?” She twirled a finger around one of his hardened nipples. “Maybe in real life?”
Azazel kissed the lustrous hair on the top of her head. It was all he could do to keep his volatile inner self in check. Damn beast was becoming more of a problem than ever before. It didn’t agree with the separation and vibrated inside him with rage. He shuddered. No telling what would happen if he lost control, even in thisDreamwalk. His only recourse was to make sure his inner self knew he and Toni would get together again. And in such a way, they’d have enough time to explore each other.
After a tense moment, his inner beast snorted and faded into the background. Smiling with relief, he took Toni’s cheeks between his hands and stared into her alluring eyes.
“That, my love, is something I can guarantee will happen.”
Chapter Six
Mylove?
The whispered words echoed clear and strong the moment Toni opened her eyes. She groaned and rubbed her face. Ooh-whee—was that a dream or what? She could swear her toes still had beach sand stuck between them.
My love.
Azazel’s deep, rumbling tone reverberated through her mind. Was that really him? No, no—it had to be a dream. She exhaled and flopped her hand down beside her, heart pounding like crazy. Damn, it had been a while since a dream hit her like that. She giggled. Look at her, turned inside-out like a teenager experiencing her first real kiss. Scratch that—her first so-called real kiss hadn’t come close to feeling likethat.
And that tense expression Azazel had in the dream? Erotic and slow-burning. Her breath caught just thinking about it. Unreal or not, she couldn’t resist sneaking a peek at the actual man behind the fantasy. She turned to where she’d last seen him, hoping to catch him asleep so she could gawk at him all she wanted without getting caught.
Only… he wasn’t there.
Toni sat up, running her hand over the soft mattress where he’d been. The light blanket felt cool. He’d been gone for a while.
“Shit!” She scrambled off the platform, arms windmilling to keep from face-planting on the smooth crystal floor. Jeez, could she be any more of a klutz?
A strange thought pricked the back of her mind. Maybe the alien suit she wore was still acclimating to her, making her motor skills go on the fritz. She blinked. Where the hell hadthatidea come from?
She ran her hands down the sleek fabric of the suit as it adjusted against her skin. A subtle hum of energy buzzed beneath the surface. This wasn’t just clothing. It was alive, somehow. Aware. She couldn’t shake the feeling that it studied her. “Okay, my friend,” she muttered, patting her stomach. “We’ve got this. You and me.”
Sure, talking to her outfit felt a little silly, but hey—when in Rome. Shoulders squared, she stepped out of the sleeping alcove into the large chamber where Azazel and the rebels were gathered around an oval crystal table, murmuring in low voices. She took the moment to study the literal man of her dreams.
Azazel stood tall, hands clasped behind his back, his profile calm and non-threatening.
Her gaze drifted down his body—compact, firm muscles showcased in his form-fitting suit—then back up to his face. Masculine. Chiseled jaw dusted with stubble. High cheekbones under almond-shaped eyes. His features hinted at a mixed heritage, not unlike her own. Her bright-blue eyes—thanks to her white American grandfather who stayed in Korea after the war—were usually the only clue to her mixed background.
