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“It is impossible to live a dignified life when you can’t even take a shower. When you can’t go to the bathroom without catching an illness. More than anything, this project is about returning dignity to those in our society who don’t have access to it.”
After the session was over, Ellyn announced the lunch, and everyone moved to the back of the room, where the food and tables were set up.
Somehow, she found Mars in the crowd. “I’m glad to see you here,” she said.
His smile, the same smile from the dream, was beautiful. She didn’t miss the way the corners of his eyes crinkled.
“I’m glad to see you too,” he murmured and slipped an arm easily around her waist. “Your talk was amazing. I really enjoyed learning more about the project.”
She exhaled with relief.
“Rhiannon Foley?” Someone called her name just as Mars opened his mouth. “Oh, my God! You look just like the girl whose body they found this morning.” It was one of the local journalists who had asked her several questions.
Mars and Rhiannon turned to her, and she held up her phone. The news report was on the screen. A photo of the woman in a college graduation gown stared at Rhiannon from the screen. The journalist was right. The woman looked almost exactly like her.
“And that’s really close to my office too.” She found herself murmuring the words that floated across her subconscious.
The journalist blushed suddenly, and she cleared her throat, looking down. “It was stupid of me to tell you this. I really enjoyed the talk you gave today.” The woman said, forcing her voice to be bright. Then she practically ran away.
Rhiannon’s body was still tight from the sudden stress of seeing the dead woman’s face. Mars must have sensed it because he put his arm around her shoulders.
“There is a coffee shop nearby. Let’s go there,” he murmured before whisking her away. She allowed Mars to lead her, comforted by the fragrance that lingered around him. It was heady and comfortable and settled around her like a warm blanket.
“Thank you,” she said sincerely once they walked into the nearly deserted shop. Rhiannon noticed that Mars's arm had slid around her waist.
She was tempted to push it away out of habit. But then she remembered Gerri’s words. She left it there, and Mars smiled down at her.
The knot in her stomach and the lump in her throat dissolved as she looked up at him, studying his face.
EIGHT
MARS
Mars had been unable to breathe properly from the moment he saw Rhiannon. Something in his head had gone blank when he saw on that stage, in that dress. And inside him, the bear growled and looped around, urging him to get up and claim Rhiannon.
All he could think of as he looked at her was that she was his fated mate.
Control yourself, man!He almost hissed the words at himself.
But it was difficult because Rhiannon looked like something out of a dream. Like someone out of a fantasy.
Her proud expression looked regal. Strands of hair had escaped her bun and framed her face. When she was silent, as Ellyn spoke, her full lips remained slightly parted. Her dark eyes were framed by thick lashes and straight dark brows.
She had done something different with her hair, he thought when she turned her head. Rhiannon was sitting directly beneath a skylight, and the afternoon sun shone down on her. Whatever she had done to her hair made her look like she was wearing a halo.
Her curvy form was draped in gold and black, and she wore heels that made her even taller than she already was.
Mars had never wanted any woman as much as he wanted Rhiannon right then.
And now he was walking away from the event with his arm around her waist. He was sure a few photographers had snapped shots of them together.
He was glad. Mars wanted everyone in town to know Rhiannon was his. But he was worried as they walked to the coffee shop. He could hear the way her heart skidded and fluttered.
Her breathing was also shallow.
It was that idiot journalist who had shown them the report on the murdered woman. His own heart had almost started beating when he saw the photo. And his body was still cold. Even the bear inside him had gone still with fright.
The murdered woman looked so much like Rhiannon that it was eerie. But looking more closely, he noticed the differences between them.
