“We really didn’t think you’d mind. He’s agreed to pay us five hundred dollars a week. That’s a fortune! Of course, we told him it was too much, but he wouldn’t hear of paying less. Your father and I are not getting any younger and, what with the economy, we just thought…” She shook her head, then patted Ria’s hand. “It doesn’t matter. We’ll tell him he has to leave at the end of the week. We just didn’t think it would upset you so much.”
“But he’s the alien,” she blurted.
Her mother looked around, as if someone might rescue her daughter from her delusions. “Ria, I promise you that Kris is not an alien.”
She rolled her eyes. “I know he’s not an alien.”
Her mother breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. I’m so glad that’s settled.”
“Nothing is settled. I know he’s not an alien, but that’s what he told me. This is the guy who stepped out in front of me the day I went running. He said he was from another planet.”
“Oh, you must have been mistaken.” She laughed lightly. “I’m sure he only meant he was from another country.”
Could things get any more frustrating? She inhaled a slow deep breath, then exhaled. “Okay, I can buy that he might have meant he was from another country, but where were his clothes?”
“Well, you know how they are in some countries. Nudity means nothing to them. At least, not what it does to us, and I have to say that he hasn’t walked around the house without clothes since he’s been staying with us.”
Oh, yeah, that made things a lot better. Not!
“He’s a little rough around the edges,” her mother continued. “But he only needs a bit of polishing. I think he’s spent far too much time around other men. I believe he told us he was in the military.” She eyed Ria with more than a trace of speculation. “He’s quite handsome, don’t you think?”
What? Did her mother want them to hook up or something? Ria bit back a laugh. This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be. Maybe it was all a bad dream.
“Don’t worry so, dear. They say it causes wrinkles, and the good face cream costs a fortune.”
“But, Mom—”
“Why, just yesterday,” her mother interrupted, “Alesha Campbell said Kris got her white kitten down from a tree. She said Kris was very gentle, and little Fluffy fell in love with him.” She patted Ria’s hand. “Everything will be fine, and once you get to know Kris, I’m sure you’ll love him as much as we do.”
Love him? How could they love him? They’d just freakin’ met him!
But he is hot, Shintara broke into Ria’s thoughts. I certainly wouldn’t mind getting a piece of that action.
Cry. That’s what she wanted to do. Go home, curl up on her bed, and let the tears flow. She sucked it up though. No way was she going to let the crazy serial killer murder her parents while they slept.
“Anyway, you’ll get a chance to meet and talk to him tonight.”
Her ears perked up. “What do you mean? What’s happening tonight?”
“We’re having a small get-together at the house. Your father wants to thank some of the volunteers who helped put together the Fourth of July activities. He is the president of the revitalization committee, after all.”
And why they had a gazillion parades every year, but she kept her lips clamped together.
“Now that we have the money Kris is paying us to rent your room, well, it was fate. It’s only right that your father thank everyone properly. I’ve been meaning to ask you to join us but kept forgetting. You will come, won’t you?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” She knew what she’d seen, and what she’d heard. Her eyes narrowed as the fire truck slowly passed. Her gaze suddenly locked with Kristor’s. Something fluttered to awareness inside her as her gaze drifted over his broad shoulders, solid chest, massive arms.
And we already know what he looks like naked.
“Shut up.”
He mother glanced her way.
Ria pointed toward the high school band that sounded like a rusty train going down even rustier tracks. “Shut up, they’re really improving.”
Her mother’s forehead creased. “You really think so?”
Ria nodded. “Oh, yeah, much better than the last parade.”
While her mother’s attention was on the band, Ria glanced once more at Kristor. So maybe he was downright sexy. The only thing she cared about was her parents’ safety. By tomorrow, Kristor would be locked away in jail. She’d make sure of it.
Kristor suddenly looked her way, capturing her gaze. Her mouth went dry and it was hard to breathe. Very slowly, he let his gaze travel over her. Heat flashed through her body, making her itch in places that hadn’t itched in a while. Not that he would ever get the chance to scratch them. She raised her chin and pursed her lips, but he only smiled.
He taunted her! Well, they would just see who smiled last!
The fire truck passed, then turned the corner, but she could still feel the tingles that one look from him had left behind. Much to her chagrin, they stayed with her until the parade was almost over.
Ria wished she could drag Carly with her tonight, but her best friend had caught a summer cold and decided to forgo the activities. Not that Carly joined in that much. She was more content to stay in her own little world, away from the crowds. The girl really needed a dose of confidence.
“Oh, there’s Vicky Jo.” Maggie waved at her friend.
“Go ahead and join her,” Ria said. “The parade is almost over.”
Maggie nibbled her bottom lip.
“I’ll put the chairs in the back of my car, and then probably wander around a bit. I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll see you tonight.” Her mother hurried to catch up with her friend as Ria stood, folded the camp chairs, and looped them over her arm. Maybe she would grab a funnel cake and take it by Carly’s. Carly had a strange passion for them. Besides, she needed to talk to her about Kristor, and plan her next action against him.
When she got to her car, she juggled the chairs while reaching in her pocket for her keys, but lost her balance. The only thing that kept her from falling on her butt was a hard chest and strong arms.
“Thanks.” She laughed as she untangled from the chairs, but her laughter quickly died when she turned and saw the man who’d helped save her from an embarassing moment. “You!”
“Now are you ready to leave?” Kristor asked.
She automatically reached for her can of mace, before realizing she hadn’t brought it. She’d only been going to a parade, not jogging through the woods.
“Who are you?” Her eyes narrowed. He had his nerve standing there as if he owned the world looking all…all…
Sexy? Manly? Delicious? Shintara’s sultry laughter rippled.
Like a dictator, Ria finished her own thought. She returned her attention back to the crazy guy.
“Why did you tell me you were from another planet? And why are you renting my old room? I want you out of my parents’ house. And I refuse to go anywhere with you.” She looked around for a cop but, of course, there wasn’t one.
“Your adopted parents are very nice. It was good when they took you into their home and raised you.” His gaze raked over her. “Although, you don’t have the same personality. They’re very friendly.”
Goose bumps popped up on her arms. “What do you know about me?” Someone had told him she was adopted. They had to. It wasn’t like it was a big secret, but her parents rarely mentioned it.
“I know of your family, and where you come from.”
Why was she listening to this garbage? No way could he know about her biological family. He couldn’t. Could he? She needed to think. He was confusing her.
She pushed the button on her keychain and popped the trunk of her car, but when she started to lift the chairs and put them inside, he brushed her out of the way and did it for her.
She watched him, wondering if he was telling the truth. She had searched for information—what adopted child wouldn’t?—and had come up empty-handed. The woman at the adoption agency told her it wasn’t unusual to have a baby placed on the doorstep of the orphanage. Unfortunately, the child would never be able to find out anything about her family. So, how did this stranger know about her parents?