Warrior Rogue (The Drift Lords Series) Read online

  They’d probably have to make a few refueling stops along the way. Guess she wouldn’t be headed back to Manhattan just yet. Hopefully she could conclude the business at home before Fashion Week, because she still had a ton of work to do in preparation for their show even though her staff was fully capable.

  Awareness crept into her that Paz’s hand still covered hers. His large palm conveyed reassurance and warmth and sent tingles of pleasure along her nerves.

  “I’m heading straight for the airport.” She slipped her hand away. “We need to drop you off first. I’ll give you the address of my showroom in New York. If you’re really interested in modeling, meet me there.”

  When he didn’t respond, Jen gave him a sharp glance. His gaze fixated on her left wrist where she wore the watch Mom had given her on her sixteenth birthday. Silence stretched between them, until he raised his eyes to meet hers.

  “I accept your offer of employment.” His grin dispelled the gloom she’d felt only moments before. “I’ll accompany you on your aircraft.”

  “Pardon me, but who invited you?”

  Maybe she’d been too hasty in offering him a job. She knew nothing about him except that he’d lied about being Keith’s stand-in. Then again, he hadn’t actually claimed to be the actor’s replacement. They’d all just assumed he was the guy.

  He lifted an eyebrow. “You need me, whether you know it or not. Tell me, have you ever felt a compulsion to learn about the past? Your past?”

  Her breath hitched. “What do you mean?” He couldn’t know about her visions. No one knew. Well, Aunt Alba had known when she was alive but Jen had told nobody else. They’d think she was nuts.

  Paz surveyed her with a devilish gleam in his eye. “I’ll bet you’ve always been strangely drawn to the Viking age.”

  Her stomach somersaulted. Oh, God. He did know.

  “You…you…how do you know this?”

  He grinned, his dimples deepening. “Now that I’ve seen your timepiece, I know a lot about you. Take me along on your journey, and I’ll explain.”

  “My timepiece?” She felt like a parrot.

  “Are you aware that symbol etched on its face is a rune?”

  She ground her teeth together. The man might be loony, but he knew things no one else did. Hadn’t Aunt Alba said the inscription looked like runic lettering?

  She’d just warn the pilot to keep the door securely locked to the flight deck while en route to the States.

  “What about your passport? You’ll need one to get through Customs.” Huh. Maybe that would stump him.

  “I’ll worry about it once we arrive.”

  “That’s a bit blasé. You have no ID, no money, and nobody to bail you out. How do you expect to get around, even if Immigration does let you into the States, which is unlikely?”

  His shoulder lifted in a shrug. “I’ll improvise. Don’t be concerned. It won’t reflect on you.”

  It had better not. I already have the fallout to deal with from your snafu on set. Sandi wants to know who you are, if not the actor’s stand-in sent by the agency.

  Sensing that he wouldn’t take no for an answer, Jen issued new orders to the driver, who then crossed lanes and made a turn.

  Paz fell silent, his gaze directed at the passing scenery. His forehead creased as though troubles plagued him.

  “Are you having second thoughts?” She tapped his arm. “I can still drop you off along the way. Maybe there’s someplace else you need to be?”

  His somber gaze swung toward her. “No, I’m just thinking it’s been a while since I─”

  “Since you what?” Shaved? You got that right buddy. You could use a few personal grooming tools.

  “Never mind. But it might be a good idea for us to pinch the deal.” He edged closer.

  “Don’t you mean cinch the deal?” Why did he act like such a foreigner? Maybe he wasn’t from the U.S. but merely had an American accent.

  He leaned nearer, and her perception shrank until it included just the two of them. Surely he didn’t mean to kiss her? The man filled her vision, from the golden highlights in his hair, to his intense blue eyes, to his contoured mouth.

  Her blood surged, and despite her wariness, places within her that had lain dormant began to stir.

  His eyes sparked as though he knew his presence affected her. He lowered his head and brushed her lips before she could protest.

  The touch of his mouth on hers set her nerves aflame. She should be affronted by his actions, but his feathering kiss made her stomach flutter and her limbs turn languid. Molten lava poured through her veins as though a sleeping volcano had just awakened. The edges of her mind receded.

  Bracing herself for another vision, she placed a hand on his forearm. A muscle moved beneath his hair-sprinkled skin, and his playful kiss changed to a deeper assault.

  No, this is wrong. The man is a complete stranger.

  She sprang back, her breath coming in short pants, her body trembling. If this was wrong, why did being with him feel so right?

  Paz’s mouth twisted in a wry grin as he took in her flushed face. “I hope I haven’t offended you.”

  “No…I mean, yes. Don’t do that again, or I’ll change my mind about taking you along.”

  His eyes darkened to indigo. “Don’t worry about me. It is others whom you should fear. Whatever happens, I will protect you.”

  What’s with his delusion about protecting people? He might be the biggest nutcase she’d ever met, but at least he didn’t act dangerous toward her. Well, he was dangerous in one respect. His kiss melted her best intentions.

  She’d be wise to keep a professional distance between them.

  ****

  Paz slid over on the seat, widening his distance from this woman who seduced his senses and compromised his will.

  Ever since he’d laid eyes on her back at the studio, he was drawn to her like a glitter bug to sunlight. Those creatures on his home planet could bedazzle a mighty beast, and so Jen had the power to beguile him as well.

  Acutely aware of her presence, he could barely think of anything else except sweeping her into his arms and into his bed. Desiring her was wrong. She belonged to a rung in society he couldn’t abide: the rich, spoiled set who looked down their noses at honest laborers. Jen had offered him a job, though, so perhaps there was more to her than what he might expect.

  Certainly her sense of compassion had surprised him, as did the way he felt when they kissed, as though they had transported to a space between dimensions.

  He’d only agreed to take the job she offered so as to accompany her to Florida. He needed to reach his safe house and reclaim his equipment. He couldn’t afford the distraction of a woman otherwise. However, a more pressing reason to remain by her side had presented itself when he noticed her wristwatch. And that’s why he’d had to kiss her.

  Paz had seen a similar timepiece before. The symbol etched on her watch face didn’t quite match the other, but he recognized its runic form. This led to one conclusion.

  Not only would Jennifer Dyhr play a crucial role in his mission’s success, but they were destined to be together.

  Chapter Three

  Jen removed her seatbelt as soon as their Gulfstream G450 reached a safe distance aloft. She couldn’t stand to be confined, plus their situation called for food and drink. She’d been running on low ever since six that morning, Tokyo time, and needed to refuel.

  Paz sat directly across from her. His predatory gaze was another reason why she jumped up as soon as the pilot turned off the seatbelt sign.

  The takeoff had brought a smirk to Paz’s mouth. He seemed amused by the rush down the runway for some reason but didn’t comment. His perceptive glance fell on her hands clutched on the armrests. Nothing escaped his notice.

  Now was a good time to question him about her wristwatch. His promise to provide answers was the only reason she’d brought him along. They had hours before their first scheduled stop, and although she craved a nap, she didn�
�t dare lower her guard. This man had a way of worming past her defenses. Hoping she wouldn’t betray her nervousness, she smiled.

  “Can I get you something to drink? You must be hungry, too. I’ll see what snacks they have in the galley.”

  “Now that you mention it, I could use some nourishment.”

  He unsnapped his safety belt and stretched to his full height. In his borrowed jeans and T-shirt, he looked magnificent. His windswept hair and rakish grin reminded her of a cross between Sawyer on Lost and Nathan Fillion on Firefly. Sexy. Seductive. Dangerous.

  Yes, she did watch those science fiction shows. She shared that secret with her staid, Republican father.

  And to think her parents had once despaired for her future. Not only did she like dorky TV shows and Viking tales, but she’d refused to glamour up for their Palm Beach crowd. Yet, after persistent peer pressure, she’d finally succumbed.

  Now she projected a sleek and sophisticated image, just like the models she hired. But underneath it all lurked the child who feared she didn’t measure up. She hid that insecurity under a veneer of polish but yearned to really be herself.

  Turning toward the rear, she strode down the aisle. The business jet her father had chartered held seats for up to twelve people. Four singles were located up front, each by a window, with one pair of seats facing the other. Further along, two double seats faced each other over a table with inset cup holders. A wood credenza took up space on the opposite wall.

  She passed a partition toward an aft section with a divan facing two more single seats. The galley was beyond, with maple cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

  It must have cost her father a mint to charter this plane, she thought with an inward wince. No worries. He’d write it off as a business expense. Anyway, there wouldn’t have been time to wait for the company jet.

  She opened several drawers in succession and pulled out a couple of trays. Paz sauntered over to stand in the doorway. Her peripheral vision caught his mouth curving up at the view of her derriere. Heat flooded her veins. He made her lose her cool without any effort on his part.

  She could imagine how her parents would react if she brought him home. Why, the man had the audacity to kiss her when they’d only just met! Remembering how his lips felt on hers made warmth coil in her belly.

  She kept her back to him, acutely aware of his proximity. After placing the trays on the counter, she chose a selection of snacks. She didn’t realize he'd come closer until his hot breath seared her neck.

  “Are you going to tell me about this job you hired me to do?” He spoke in a low, husky tone that played her nerve endings like music.

  “I will, but only after you tell me what you know about my watch. Does this symbol mean something significant?” She’d tried to find someone who could interpret the inscription, but no one in her circles had the requisite knowledge.

  “It means a great deal. To prove what I’m about to tell you, however, I have to kiss you again.”

  Before she could say no, his hands found her hips, and her nerves jumped as warmth penetrated her clothing from his touch. Her body responded instantly, and she dropped the bag of chips in her grasp. Intending to brush him off, she turned toward him instead.

  His piercing gaze captured hers. Whatever he saw in her eyes made his expression brighten. His head descended, and he claimed her lips. An undeniable craving for more melted her resistance.

  He tilted her chin and varied his slant. Unable to stop herself, she parted her mouth, allowing his tongue access as though he’d breached her mental gates. Her defenses crumpled further when she sniffed his sea-heightened scent and felt the rough scrape of his bristle-roughened jaw.

  Fiery bolts shot through to her core like Cupid’s arrows as the universe shrunk to encompass them alone. Mist swirled around the outer edges of her consciousness, folding her in its embrace.

  She’d known it was dangerous bringing him on board, but oh my. A vision of him naked popped into her head, and the thought of his being aroused on her account made her throw caution to the winds. She wrapped her arms around him, pressing him close as she relished the feel of his hard body against hers.

  A buffet of turbulence jolted her back to reality. What was she doing? Heat crept up her skin as she stepped away.

  “I told you not to do that again. I’ll retract my offer of a job if you keep hitting on me.” The engine whine surged as the jet lifted. She gripped the counter to steady herself.

  He didn’t budge, his cobalt eyes narrowing. “The prophecy says we must be together. It may not be what either of us wants, but there is no denying Fate.”

  Oh, but I do want you, buddy. And judging from the bulge in your pants, the feeling is mutual. “What prophecy?”

  His mouth quirked up at the edges. “The one that claims you and I have to join forces to fight evil.”

  Here he goes with his delusional nonsense again.

  She jabbed her finger in the air. “The only reason we’re together is because I offered you a job. We should discuss your duties. They do not include seducing me.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “If that’s true, why did you kiss me back and put your arms around me?”

  His knowing smile made her stutter. “T-That was a momentary lapse. It won’t happen again.”

  “Won’t it? You felt it, too, the connection between us. I knew it the moment I saw your watch. Your destiny is written there, and it’s linked to mine.”

  “That’s absurd.”

  She thrust a tray at him. She’d stacked it with a turkey sandwich, bag of chips, grapes, and a water bottle. She could use something stiff to drink, but it wasn’t a good idea right now. She needed to keep her wits around this guy. Otherwise, she might believe his ridiculous stories.

  It occurred to her that he might be a con man sent by her cousin Clifford to undermine her confidence. Aunt Alba might have told Cliff about her self-winding watch and her visions. In that case, she’d better stick to business for the rest of the trip so as not to reveal anything more of a personal nature.

  ****

  Sitting at a table across from Jen, Paz munched on crunchy potato chips while she outlined his duties as a model. Her descriptions of fittings, trunk shows, and runway walks filtered through his brain like subatomic neutrinos.

  If Jen truly was the woman meant for him according to the prophecy, they’d have more important things on their minds. And if not, he’d be on his way as soon as they touched down in Florida. He never meant to take the position she’d so kindly offered.

  Too bad, because he’d never met a woman so responsive, and he had been with many. Paz had a reputation in the different star systems where he repaired the space comm nets. A carefree guy who could whisper words of love in any language, he stuck with casual relationships. It avoided the risk of rejection, an emotion he knew all too well thanks to his father.

  He glanced at Jen, wondering if she’d scorn him if she knew the truth. She’d finished her turkey sandwich and patted her mouth dry with a paper napkin. He followed her movements with his eyes, wanting to taste her again and hating himself for his weakness.

  “You’re not listening, are you?” Her mouth formed a pout, which only made him desire her more.

  “It’s a lot to absorb.” He perused her with a lazy smile. Pleased by how her face flushed and her pupils dilated, he decided to drop a hint at his origins to see how she responded. “I don’t understand this runway business. Is it like an aircraft runway? Your terms can be confusing.”

  Jen tightened an earring. “You’re the one who’s confused. Sometimes you act like you’re way smarter than me, and other times you seem like you’re from outer space.”

  His grin broadening, he pointed to her earrings. “Those are nice kewa stones. Or I should say, diamonds. Did a boyfriend give them to you?”

  She rolled her eyes. “No, they were a gift from my parents. And I’m single, if that’s what you’re asking.” She pointed to an LCD monitor on the wall that sh
owed their route. “I’d better put these trays away. We’re flying near the Dragon’s Triangle. It’s best to be buckled down just in case.”

  “Dragon's Triangle? What’s that?”

  “It’s a region in the Pacific where airplanes and ships have mysteriously disappeared.” She stood and collected their trays. “You’ve heard of the Bermuda Triangle off Florida’s coastline? Most people don’t realize this area has more anomalies. Japan declared these coordinates a danger zone for shipping.”

  “Is that so?” He pressed his lips together, his impassive face guarding his thoughts.

  “Japan sent a research vessel to investigate in 1952. It vanished without a trace. A myth blames the disappearances on an undersea dragon.” Jen shrugged, while Paz admired the wisps of hair floating about her face. “Most likely, natural phenomena are to blame. Still, we could run into turbulence even though it’s a clear day.”

  Paz studied the view after she turned down the aisle. Fluffy white clouds reflected the late afternoon sunlight. The billowing pillars of moisture floated in a sky of azure blue. Flying this slow enabled him to appreciate the sight.

  Never mind the beauties of nature. He’d rather examine the propulsion system on the turbine-powered jet in more detail. It amazed him how the pilots got these heavy machines off the ground without anti-grav engines.

  Although Kaj was the team’s engineer, Paz had received cross-training in multiple skills. He was more than just a telecom expert in real life, too.

  SattCom Networks may employ him as a repair technician, but that was because it suited his needs. He liked the travel benefits and the lower rank which hid his true ambitions. Certified as a comm system design engineer, Paz had the skill and education to develop network architecture on his own.

  That’s what he worked on in his spare time. His new system would revolutionize the space nets, but too many obstacles prevented him from building a prototype. The Trollek invasion was one of them. His duties as a Drift Lord took precedence over his private life. This had been his curse ever since his innate abilities had been discovered.

  He wondered if the Dragon’s Triangle hid another dimensional rift like its infamous cousin off the coast of Florida. That could account for his arrival here. Spontaneous tears in the space-time continuum were happening more often. They’d started when the Trolleks learned how to force open the barrier between dimensions.