Page 30 of Alien's Luck
Furious, Delandra jerked her hand away. “Your pet needs discipline. She lacks proper training.”
“I like Carla the way she is,” he said.
Carla knew it was all part of the act, but she melted just a little. He liked her, even with the shooting and the larceny.
“I see your judgment remains questionable, but to each their own, I suppose. I’d recommend investing in a good collar, not pretty baubles, since you refuse to train your pet,” Delandra said before swanning away. That was unfair. She walked with an elegant glide filled with purpose.
“Come,” Ari said, planting a hand in the middle of her back and giving her no choice but to move. No elegant gliding for her, just a stumble as she lifted the hem of her dress to avoid stepping on the fabric.
He pushed his way through the lounge to the elevators and returned to their hotel suite. Without saying a word, he marched onto the balcony.
Carla gave him a few moments to calm down or whatever before joining him.
The cold spring night air wrapped around them, and the quiet. Distance muffled the noise of the casino and all the chattering patrons several floors below them. There was only the sound of the ocean and the wind.
Three moons hung in the sky, casting enough light to see clearly. Two huddled close together, one large and the other smaller. The smallest was halfway across the sky, like a tiny duckling trailing behind.
Carla went to the railing, wanting to get as close as she could to the enormous sky. Ari kept a healthy distance from the railing.
It was gorgeous. The fresh, salty air felt invigorating after living in the smoky, congested city. Air quality was not a priority here, and neither were health and safety regulations.
She shivered. A sleeveless gown was perfect for a crowded room but not the outdoors.
Without saying a word, Ari shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. The warmth of his lingering body heat enveloped her.
“Thank you,” she said, her fingers curling into the fabric. Before she could think better of it, she blurted out, “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said about me.”
Ari’s brow furrowed. “That you are high -spirited? I would not consider anything that female says to be a compliment.”
“You like me the way I am.”
“That is not a compliment. My taste is questionable.”
Carla shrugged, unbothered. She turned to face him, slouching back against the railing.
His posture stiffened, as if fighting back the urge to caution her about the dangers of railings and poor facility maintenance. Instead, he said, “You did well. Delandra is a notorious information broker.”
“Is that a high-class way of saying she’s a gossip?”
“And a blackmailer. Word about my untrained human companion will soon reach Tavat.”
Good. The night had not been a waste. They were one step closer to rescuing Poppy.
This was fantastic. She buzzed with excitement. Now seemed the perfect opportunity to show Ari the little souvenir she found.
“So, Oliver…” Her voice dragged out in a teasing tone.
“My name is Ari.”
“So, Oliver, do you think Delandra’s jewelry is the real deal?” She twirled a golden bracelet around her index finger like a tiny hula-hoop.
“The name is Solivair,” he said, stressing the second syllable.
“So-lee-vair,” Carla repeated, giving up her attempts to recapture the lighthearted mood from earlier. Delandra spoiled it. With a flick of her wrist, the bracelet stopped spinning and rested in the palm of her hand. “Never mind.”
“It’s Lord Solivair, if you insist on being impertinent,” he said, his voice growing stiff and formal. “The title is technically mine, but my name is Ari.”
“Right. I’ll remember that.” She had a dozen questions to ask about Lord Solivair, Delandra, and what all that was about, but she could tell that now was not the time to be nosy.
