Page 16 of Rock Hard Alien

“My name would be a good start.”

“You have not introduced yourself to me.”

Her arms dropped to her sides. “Seriously?”

“I learned your name by listening to your conversation with another person. That is hardly the proper way to begin a courtship.”

“Neither is kidnapping someone.”

“I have apologised for that.”

She sighed and held out her hand. “I'm Georgie MacLeod. Stonemason, reluctant ladder climber and apparently the first human to wake an alien gargoyle.”

I looked at her offered hand. Humans often touched hands when they met. I had watched them do it from the castle wall.

“May I?” I asked.

Her expression softened. “Aye.”

I wrapped my fingers carefully around hers.

“Cairn of the Grey Warrior Caste,” I said. “Former ship captain, excellent flier and apologetic abductor.”

“Formerly excellent flier.”

“I am still recovering.”

“Of course.”

She was laughing at me again, but I didn't mind. This time, she was still holding my hand.

A knock sounded from the door.

“Georgie?” the red-haired female called. “Can we come back in? I need to talk to Cairn before the Authority starts shouting at me.”

She let go of my hand and moved away slightly, as if she didn't want the other females to see that we had improved our relationship. I had to ask her about that later. I had watched mates... couples hold hands in public in the more recent rotations. Public displays of affection had become common.

“Until we work out just how far away from me you can go,” she whispered, “I suppose you'll have to stay close to me.”

Hope rushed through me. ”How close?”

“Don't push your luck.”

Seven

Georgie

The agency's black limousine stopped right in front of my little cottage. It was the first time I'd ever been in a car like this, with dark tinted windows, a bar, speakers way better than any I possessed, and a chauffeur who'd barely even glanced at Cairn. I supposed discretion was important if you worked for a dating agency that dealt with aliens on a daily basis.

“Is this your dwelling?” Cairn asked. His tail was drumming against the leather seats, maybe a sign of excitement. Who was I to know. The fact that I was thinking about what his tail movements might mean was crazy enough. And now I was about to let a gargoyle into my house. This day was getting more ridiculous by the minute.

“Yes. I built it myself. It's not exactly big, but it's enough for me.”

“You built it yourself,” Cairn echoed. “I don't know why I'm surprised. You've clearly got a way with stone.”

I peered through the tinted window and tried to see my home with his eyes. The cottage had been a ruin with only three walls and no roof when I'd bought it. I'd rebuilt it from scratch, using as many of the original materials as possible while also adding modern insulation and double glazing. A friend had helped me with the roof, so all I'd needed professionals for were the plumbing and electrics.

Some half-dead flowers stood in a vase, visible through the window. I'd not been home much recently. My job meant travelling from one historic site to the next, quite often staying in bed and breakfasts rather than driving home at night. When did I last hoover the floors? I hoped Cairn wasn't a clean-freak.