AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He sighed, apparently terribly inconvenienced by being here. “So, what can I help you with?”
Was he serious? Funny how his attitude had completely changed. Gone was the man trying so hard to push his way into her bed, replaced by a fully self-serving ass-hat with an ego problem.
“My boss thinks I’ve been dodging you. I can’t imagine why he would think that, considering I’ve been very accommodating in attempting to meet you for the interview. So here’s my question. Would you like to give Earth magazine an interview on your clean air initiative as previously arranged, or should I cut my losses?”
His gaze swept over hers and landed on her chest. Licking his lower lip, his eyes finally made it to hers.
“Jim and I had a conversation. I can’t help how he interpreted things. Do I want to give you an interview? Yes. But I’d rather do it on a topic that interests me.”
“That’s not why I’m here. Jim approved the article topic before I left for Ireland.”
“It’s good to be flexible, Kimber. Then again, considering the sounds coming out of a specific bedroom in my castle last night, I’d say you probably possess that ability.”
Blindsided, she could only stare at him.
He grinned, clearly enjoying this. “You’d think the stone walls of a castle would be thicker, right? Look, I know you slept with him, Kimber. I never actually swallowed my fish so I could keep a clear head. While my guests were using the power of their minds, I was monitoring things inside my home. I suspected the two of you were fooling around. You forgot to bring the wine upstairs with you, though. Now, I wouldn’t consider that an appropriate use of work time, would you? I don’t think Jim would, either.”
Sitting straighter in her chair, Kimber was acutely aware of the server approaching their table. He handed them menus, and Pel ordered brandy on the rocks.
Tightly controlling her composure, she sipped some water to fight back growing nausea.
“What do you want, Pel?”
“You and I would make a great team, Kimber. Not only are you a journalist, but you lived the reality of aliens on Earth as a child. You have firsthand experienced that will complement what I’m trying to do. Who better to pitch my alien research for reality television than you?”
“I didn’t have experiences. My father did.”
He leaned across the table, looking at her earnestly. “What I do is real. Did you see the video from last night? We summoned them, Kimber. Me and my followers.We did that.We have proof. So much proof.”
Her pulse picked up at the mention of the video. It was exciting to watch, but proof? No way. No way was she going to believe that they’d summoned aliens with mind control.
“I’m not interested in your proof or anything else to do with aliens. I’m not here to discuss extraterrestrials.”Rule number three, damn it!
Pel scooted his chair around the backside of the table until it bumped into hers. Grimacing in disgust, she tried to move away from him, but he put one big hand on the side of her chair to hold her in place. He gazed into her eyes, as if trying to force her to align with him.
“I believe your father’s claims. And I have one burning question for you.”
She had the urge to move her chair away from him but didn’t want to make a scene. Not yet.
“What?”
“Did you believe him?”
Her entire face heated. A lurch of nausea rose in her throat. How dare he!
“I will not discuss my family with you.”
“I think you will. Don’t forget that I hold the cards, Kimber. One call to Jim about your inappropriate behavior in my home and you’re done. I’ll give you the interview you came for, but first you’re going to commit to working with me.”
His gaze dropped to her neck. “We could be good together, you know that? We could be so much more than acquaintances. I have to say… I liked what I heard last night.”
Her stomach lurched. Oh. God. He was such a pig. Nausea burned the base of her throat as a second wave rolled through her insides. Quickly realizing this wasn’t just a reaction to his disgusting offer, Kimber hurried to her feet and pressed a hand to her mouth.
She would never make it to the restroom. Wide-eyed, she tried to hold it back, but it was no use. She doubled over and threw up all over Pel’s lap.
Horrified, he tried to scoot his chair away but pushed with his legs too hard. The chair leaned back on two legs and slowly tipped. Arms flapping like a bird, Pel cried out as the chair fell completely backwards, his breadstick and water vomit-soaked legs sticking up straight in the air.
“Kimber!”
