The Price of Discovery by Leslie Dicken Read Free Book Online Page A

again.”
    â€œWow, Drakor, you were worried about me?” She shoved her hands in her pockets and he caught a glimpse of the valley between her breasts. “Did you notice that my own brother has no such worries?”
    His neck felt damp. “Your brother is with my sister.”
    â€œI know. I’m really sorry about that. Here I bring him along to act as a chaperone and he’s the one all over her. It’s really embarrassing.”
    â€œIt should not embarrass you. You cannot control what he does.”
    â€œNo, but I feel bad about his actions.” She glanced at the ground, her light hair swinging across her cheek.
    Drakor fisted his fingers to resist brushing the strands from her face. His lips tingled with the desire to taste whatever glistened on her pretty little mouth.
    He clenched his jaw, scrambling for the lessons from his Crossing. Once he knew how to force his body into submission, to resist the cravings. Images of Elliac, of his hillside home, of anything other than her, collided and merged in his brain.
    Sand. Rocks. Stars. Sun. He tried to block his desire with the thoughts of the ordinary.
    It failed.
    One look into Erin’s sky-colored eyes and his arousal pulsated. Helta , he had to have her. Or he had to get off this planet.
    She raised an eyebrow. “Are you okay?”
    Drakor could not find his voice, not with his sensations spinning out of control.
    Erin angled her head. Her lips sparkled brightly under the streetlamp. “Shall I take you home?”
    Great Sun, yes. Drakor nodded.

Chapter Five
    Erin threw her shoulders back, trying to ignore the tingle racing down her spine, leaving her breathless. Though Drakor never said or did anything to make her believe he wanted her, she could feel a sexual hunger radiate from his stance. Her legs turned to jelly right there on the sidewalk.
    She pulled her gaze from his powerful stare and dug around in her purse for Greg’s keys. “Let’s, um, get going.”
    She started down the sidewalk but someone blocked her path. Rita.
    â€œWho’s this big hunk of a man?” The bitch gestured toward Drakor.
    â€œA friend of mine. Is there something else you wanted to annoy me about? Or can it wait until Monday?”
    Rita gave him a seductive glance over and smacked her gum. “And I thought Mickey’s was out of your league. You are way in over your head tonight, my dear.”
    Erin felt the color rise on her cheeks. “I’m not your dear and how about minding your business for a change?”
    Rita took a few steps toward Drakor. “If I minded my own business all the time I wouldn’t be a very good reporter, would I? You should take notes on that.”
    Drakor stood his ground, his hands in his pockets. He watched Rita with guarded eyes. “You must be a friend of Erin’s.”
    â€œA co-worker would be more accurate,” she answered. “Are you two about to leave? That would be a shame.”
    â€œYes.” Erin forced away the tightness in her chest. She shouldn’t be bothered if Drakor found Rita attractive. But for some reason, it really pissed her off. “We are leaving. Do you mind?”
    Rita lifted an eyebrow. “Are you taking him home for the night?” She ran her fingers down his arm and squeezed his biceps. “Oooh! I think we all know that little Erin here is just going to drop you off at your door and drive away.”
    Erin narrowed her eyes. “And?”
    â€œI could keep him company a little longer.”
    Taking a deep breath, Erin continued down the sidewalk. “Take your pick,” she called to Drakor. “This ride is going now.”
    For a few minutes there was no sound behind her. She turned the corner and walked toward Greg’s car, her heart slamming in her chest. Since Rita had moved into town about six months ago, she’d gotten the best leads, made the most contacts, enjoyed the fun social life.