Page 13 of Rock Hard Alien

I shifted on the wet stone. My fingertips were growing stiff again, but slowly. I could wait here without becoming fully petrified. It gave her the distance she wanted while allowing me to remain alive.

The onyx-haired female moved towards the window. She looked out at the street, turned away, then stopped.

Georgie's head snapped in my direction.

I stayed very still as her eyes met mine through the glass.

The females said something, but I was no longer listening. My attention was fixed on her, only her. The way her chest rose when she breathed. Her hair framing her face, highlighting her delicate features. Her baggy clothes, waiting to be torn off her body to reveal what waited underneath.

No. I had to go slow. She didn't feel what I did. Instead of trusting in the mate bond, I would have to woo her like in the stories of old. I'd have to convince her that I was the gharrgoil for her. I had to show her that I was worthy of her affection.

But was I? How could I be? I'd done everything wrong. Put her in danger. Acted like a cloching fool.

She pushed the window open. I could barely believe it. She was giving me a second chance. This time, I wouldn't ruin everything by acting without thinking. I was going to be calm, collected, rational.

I shook my wings and leapt off the roof.

The street was narrower than I had estimated. I was out of practice. And I was distracted by her.

I crashed through the open window. My horns caught on the frame, I tripped over a low table and crashed onto the floor in an unceremonious heap.

So much for my grand entrance.

Georgie stumbled back. I dared a quick peek at her face. Her lips were pressed together, her eyes narrowed.

I had angered her. Maybe I should fly away, let the stone take me.

Her shoulders shook. Was she about to cry?

I really was the worst gharrgoil in existence.

A laugh broke from her chest, loud and sparkling.

“You know how to make an entrance.” Bouts of laughter interrupted her words. “How did you manage to crash again?”

“I can assure you, my flying skills are usually excellent,” I replied testily. “I graduated with top marks from the academy. I am a warrior. My body is a honed weapon. I... Yes, I crashed. Again.”

“You dropped me.”

“Only once.”

“You nearly dropped me twice.”

“But I caught you both times.”

Georgie closed the window behind me. She stayed beside it, leaving several steps between us.

I rose to my feet, curled my tail around my ankle, folded my wings up neatly. I wanted to cross the distance, touch her, feel her warmth, but I resisted the urge.

“You followed me,” she said.

“Yes.”

“All the way from Stirling?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”