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  There was nothing more he could do but deep in his gut, he knew there was a problem that Cedun was refusing to discuss with him. I will wait until he’s ready.

  “I do. Her business is small, but these are handmade articles that she sells. Each is a work of art in its own right, that she sources from the artisan. She’s offering us first rights on the stock.”

  “You feel this is right? That she can continue to stock our needs?” Cedun’s tones were low and Joruzan didn’t know quite what to make of his odd behaviour, then shook his head. Who knew with the Ti. They all carried odd baggage from the Ba’Tuan upbringing.

  Joruzan squinted. “You won’t tell me what causes you this issue? You are not happy with Montgomery Industries?”

  “No. It’s not that. Just… Place the order in the morning, Joruzan. We’ll trial her wares.”

  Valerie spent an, tossing and turning. Memories of that kiss kept rolling through her mind. Joruzan, a Ba’Tuan had kissed her. Her mind had turned to mush and even now, the memory alone, made her knees weak and jellylike.

  “Hey Mum! I’ve got an interview later today for a full-time job, but I’ll be in to help with the stocktake this morning, if that’s okay?” They’d long ago agreed that in the workplace she’d use her mothers name but at home she’d still be mum.

  Valerie dragged her distracted mind back to Gia. “Sure, that’s great news.” She shoved the spoon into the cold cereal and started when it clattered. Looking down, she realised the bowl was empty and Gia was giving her one of her what’s on your mind looks.

  “We should go.” She shoved away from the table, grabbing the bowl and pushed it into the sink. Gia rose and followed suit, then picked up her bag and folder and together they headed out the door. Only as she climbed into the car did she realise it was barely seven a.m. and much earlier than they’d usually get on the road. She’d forgotten to even clean her teeth.

  Wisely, Gia stayed silent on whatever she thought.

  At the warehouse-come-office, Gia and Valerie unlocked the doors and started laying out stock. They weren’t direct to the public, but sometimes the odd sale happened at the office door and Valerie never argued. Money was money, to her mind, remembering the times she and Gia had gone without over the years.

  By the time eight a.m. crawled around, she was in front of her computer, sipping on a strong coffee.

  When the door opened she started. Joruzan. Even his name sent tremors of excitement coursing. He was followed by the Turaa, Cedun, who had a totally shell-shocked look on his face.

  “De’ Valerie, we came to place an order.” Joruzan spoke softly and she smiled.

  “I’m so glad! I uh… That’s wonderful. Here sit down and be comfortable.” Just as she was urging the Turaa to take a seat the door opened and Gia entered the office.

  “Valerie, I have…” She broke off and looked in her direction. “Oh… Uhhh, sorry.”

  Gia blinked owlishly at Valerie’s arms on the Turaa.

  “Oh… Cedun, this is my daughter, Gia.” She indicated in Gia’s direction and saw the faintest glint in Cedun’s eyes and understanding hit. He’s interested in my daughter? She’s too young!

  When her gaze collided with Joruzan’s there was more than a thread of amusement and she blushed. And I’ve got a crush on Joruzan. Oh my God! And I’m too old for this kind of nonsense.

  Gia tried to withdraw but Cedun and Joruzan wouldn’t allow that.

  “The Ba’Tuan’s wish to place an order.”

  “Oh… Really? That’s so exciting. Do you think… Uh…”

  Cedun smiled at Gia and for a moment Valerie wondered if he was about to ask her out. Then the smile died away. “Cedun and Joruzan.”

  “Oh great. Umm, Turaa Cedun, maybe we could get a photo? I like to make sure Valerie has all kinds of memories of these kinds of events.” Gia indicated to the walls and Cedun smiled.

  “Of course.” Naturally Cedun took the middle position between the women and Joruzan took to the photo, then she settled in and participated in the order preparation. They hadn’t been at it long when Gia rose with a startled cry.

  “Ohmygosh! Is that the time? I’ve got an interview.” She spun shooting a horrified look in Valerie’s direction.

  “Take my car.” Valerie passed her the keys and Gia ran out the door.

  “That’s quite a young woman, you have there.” Cedun’s voice was full of interest and she turned to him.

  “She is. She’s very special.”

  When Joruzan spoke though, he shocked her even more. “She’s almost as special as her mother.”

  Four

  Joruzan waited, though it felt like his guts were being wrung, until three days later.

  Don’t appear too impatient the human men insist. Not if you’re interested in her as a woman.

  How can I not be? It wasn’t just the beauty and the poise of Da’Valerie that appealed. There was a softness many women of the earth appeared to have thrown off in the process of ‘finding themselves.’ The term he found contradictory, for where they not exactly where they were meant to be?

  Trepidation slid through his veins. He might be Ba’Tuan but unlike many of the Ti generation, he’d not learned to control his desires. It was Da’Valerie that he truly desired. Not just the woman but as his destined mate.

  There was an instinct, according to the old learnings that came with exposure to their mate. All they had to do was listen. But the Ti? They controlled themselves rigidly. Too rigidly to understand the learnings. For most of the Ti, taking a mate was a matter of a transaction. The physical interactions required to complete the conception unemotional and cold.

  “You have made contact yet?” Cedun enquired.

  Joruzan who’d been staring at the communications device grimaced. “Not yet, Turaa.”

  “Ring her, friend.” The words were soft, closing the distance between the two men.

  “What if she finds me…” he searched for an adequate word to describe what she might react with, “repugnant?”

  “Then she is not meant for you, Joruzan.” Cedun’s quiet words didn’t dispel his concerns.

  He heard the footsteps and turned. Cedun loomed close. “We are not like the majority of the Ti, Joruzan. We feel. We want. We desire.”

  “And we hurt,” he mumbled.

  “Yes, we do. But if we don’t take the chance, we will never know. Your fear controls you.”

  Cedun couldn’t have used a more calculated term. He reached out and lifted the hand piece. Dialled the number.

  “Montgomery Industries, this is Valerie.”

  He gulped. “Da’Valerie, I would like to ask if you’d join me, for lunch?”

  Valerie fluffed her hair, glancing at her make up and wondering for the fiftieth time if it wasn’t too much. Was she too… anything?

  Gia entered the room and stopped three steps away. “Mu… Valerie?”

  Spinning, Valerie felt awkward and silly. “I… I have a lunch with Joruzan.”

  “The Ba’Tuan?” Gia’s voice rose.

  “Yes.”

  “To discuss the deal?” Gia’s eyes narrowed.

  “I imagine so, Gia. I mean why else—“

  Gia sighed, a wealth of frustration filling the sound. “You’re so dense sometimes, Valerie. He was practically eating you with his eyes.”

  A blush stung her cheeks. “Nonsense!”

  Gia strode forward, grabbed Valerie by the shoulders and spun her. “You’re only just in your thirties. You’re beautiful, clever and witty. You own and run a business you created by yourself. Any man would be pleased to have you.”

  Valerie bit her lip. “But I have an adult daughter.”

  “Listen, I may be eighteen, but lots of women your age are just finding their husbands. They’re getting out there, having fun. Living their lives. You had me young, so what? I’m not like a wart on your nose.”

  “No. But you’re my first concern.”

  “Bullshit. You’re scared, but at my age you
’d already started building Montgomery. You had a two year old. You were like an old settled woman before you could finish school. Now is your chance. Take it. Use both hands.”

  Fear coursed. “But what if…”

  “What if’s don’t count in life. Just like you’ve always told me.”

  “But I’m thirty-four, Gia.”

  “You’re also a woman. Now stop complaining and let’s get you ready for your date.”

  “He didn’t call it a date.”

  Gia simply smiled. “More fool him, then. I got this fabulous dress this morning on special, but it’ll look better on you, I think.” With that Gia dragged her into the tiny break room and set about preparing her for lunch.

  Five

  Joruzan’s nerves were tight as he waited for Valerie to arrive, his hand laying on the white table cloth, his gaze scanning until suddenly she was there.

  Her raven hair a wave of loose curls, her svelte body outlined with a dark blue dress but it was the uncertainty in his eyes that called to him. He rose, having observed the ways of human men since their arrival on earth several years ago.

  “Uh, Joruzan. Hi.” Her voice held a breathless quality.

  He smiled. “Welcome Deandara. Please, take a seat.”

  Only when she’d perched on the edge of her seat did he lower himself back to his own.

  The waiter came and slid menus before them both and hovered nearby as they made their selections, not that he could have cared what they dined upon for he was filling his vision with her. Finally, satisfied the waiter melted away and he watched as the tension filled Valerie’s features.

  “Uh, so Joruzan. You wanted to meet?”

  “I did, Valerie. I wish to know you. Know more of you and your life.”

  Her eyes opened wide as did her mouth. “I… I’m flattered but—“

  Confusion filled him. “You do not wish to know me too? I am not of interest?”

  Understanding flashed on her face. “You… You are…” Valerie cleared her throat. “You’re interested in me?”

  Such surprised put paid to the emotions that warred deep inside him. “I do wish to know you Valerie. Within me I feel such things as most Ti will never understand. I would know you, and if in time we both agree, I want… more.”

  Heat suffused her. A flock of butterflies took up position in her belly if the quivering was anything to go by. All the more potent was the fact that she too felt that drawing. The hunger to be close enough that she might touch him.

  Confusion warred deep inside though, excitement tempered by the knowledge she was a single mother, on the verge of being middle-aged. Why? Why does he find me of interest?

  Valerie’s head spun by the time he squired her home. An old fashioned word, she knew, but the most correct to explain how he’d made her feel.

  Special.

  Desired.

  She hadn’t felt those emotions in such a long time.

  The door opened before she could slide the key in the lock. Gia’s gazed settled on her face and surely, she must be able to see the change? The subtle swelling of her lips from Joruzan’s kisses?

  “So?” There was a wealth imbuing the single word question.

  “He wishes to court me.”

  Gia’s eyes widened. “Court you?”

  Valerie slid her handbag to the table. “That’s what he says. I told him I need time. He’s willing to give me that. But I feel…” How do I tell my almost fully grown daughter that I feel such desires? That my body desires sex and my heart the kind of companionship I’ve never really experienced?

  “So, do I need to have the birds and bees talk with you?”

  Valerie choked. “What?”

  “You know. Safe sex. Not getting pregnant. The kind of thing.” Gia’s eyes lit with naughty humour yet Valerie detected concern too. Her heart filled with pleasure that her daughter cared enough to be worried.

  “I’m not looking to rush anything, Gia. I need time. After all, he’s Ba’Tuan and I’m human. We don’t even know if it’s possible for me to get pregnant or even have sex with him.”

  “Uh the sex bit is possible.”

  Valerie straightened up, as fury filled her. “Who was it? I’ll—“

  “Not me, Mum. I was watching one of those shows on television. You know, with the panels. Apparently they can be very very good. As lovers.”

  Now Valerie coloured. Heat washing off her. “You… Okay, let’s organize dinner.”

  “So you can avoid the conversation?”

  “Something like that, Gia,” she countered and rose.

  Six

  Joruzan tidied his small house, frustration and concern filling him. After months of careful woo’ing, De’ Valerie had agreed to a dinner date here. At his home. The Ti didn’t usually participate in the local customs, but for Valerie, he’d do anything. He just hoped she’d accept what he planned to offer her tonight.

  The buzzer sounded and he pushed the door open. Valerie stood in the doorway, clearly uncomfortable.

  He ushered her in, his nostrils filling with the light floral scent she preferred.

  “Oh Joruzan, what am I—?”

  Unable to help himself, he swept her up in his arms and placed his lips to hers. His body a tight mass of need, that ached day and night for the completion he knew he’d only find with her.

  They both moaned as desire bloomed. Eventually, he pulled away, noting they were both breathing heavily and a hectic colour highlighted her cheeks.

  “Deandara…” He reached out with a gentle hand and pushed away a lock, so it lay behind her ear. “I’ve waited a long time.”

  “But Joruzan, I’m old and…”

  He placed a gentle finger against her soft lips. “No, Deandara. You are perfect to me. In every way.”

  “But…”

  “Deandara, trust me. You are my partner. The love I’ve waited a long time to find. Believe in me and the emotions that we share. The Ti… Most don’t feel deeply. Those of us who have not bound our instincts and needs? Once we find our mate, then no matter how well we are trained i nothing can quell our desire and need. Both to protect and be with our other half. That is what you are to me.”

  “I… But I have a grown up daughter. I can’t… How can you claim to have me as a mate? I mean—“ His gut ached at the distress on her face.

  “Deandara, trust me and trust in us.”

  He watched as she wrestled with her emotions, before she cast him a tremulous smile. “I… Yes. I do.”

  Joruzan held out his arms and she walked into them and when he closed them around her, he’d never felt so complete.

  “She thinks… Gia thinks I’m going out with Cedun.”

  He grunted, well aware of what her daughter thought. Joruzan had only met her once, but Cedun regularly updated him. Cedun having stepped up after Joruzan had declared Valerie as his mate to undertaken any business affairs. It meant that when Joruzan and Valerie were together they could learn about each other and grow the connection between them.

  Not that Gia knew better. After the first outing with Joruzan, Valerie had explained Gia had found a boyfriend and quickly moved in with him. Valerie’s spending time with Cedun, she’d taken to mean that Valerie had moved on and they’d formed an attachment. On one level that worried and angered him, but Valerie had insisted they leave her thinking that for now.

  It had taken time for Joruzan to understand why Cedun spent so much time at Valerie’s warehouse too. Then it clicked into focus.

  “Cedun feels for your daughter.”

  “I know. But he won’t let me tell her anything right now. It’s odd…”

  “Because of Da’ Garret? There’s something wrong there.”

  “Oh I agree, Joruzan, but I think he’s still seeing other women, even though he’s now with Gia.”

  “I should talk to him.”

  Valerie stepped back and framed his face with her hands. “She’s too grown up for that. It would smack of interference and I… It jus
t wouldn’t be right. We’ll just give it time, it’ll sort itself out. I hope.”

  He growled in the back of his throat. Because it pained Valerie, it angered him.

  “Joruzan?” Her thumbs rested on his cheek and he turned his head to plant a kiss on her hand.

  “I love you, Valerie. I want to be with you in every way, until I am no more.”

  She gasped and her eyes opened wide. “I thought… “

  He loved the way she blushed like a young girl. “I don’t understand how you can possibly feel that way about me, but I… I feel the same. I love you too, Joruzan.”

  “Good.”

  “But…” She slipped her fingers against his lips stilling his actions. “We’ll need to tell Gia. Soon.”

  “Of course, Deandara. When you’re ready, we shall disclose all. Now then, we should carry on with our plans for the evening, yes?” He sealed their agreement with a kiss which led to more. Much more and eminently satisfying. For both of them.

  Did you enjoy this book by Imogene Nix?

  There’s more on the following pages. Just keep turning to see what else.

  The Celtic Cupid Trilogy

  When Cupid—otherwise known as Diocail— is banished from his home on a remote Scottish Island, he's set a series of tasks by the great god Lugh, who also happens to be his father.

  In Blame The Wine, he must bring two lovers together... BBW Cara and James, the man she’s lusted over from afar who happens to be a super geek and head Veha Industries.

  In A Stranger's Embrace, Diocail is driven to help an emotionally fragile Jane and Davis, a famous author. The task is more complicated, with the existence of Carstairs her could-be ex-husband and teenage daughter, Frannie.

  In Revenge on Cupid, Diocail must take the ultimate chance and find his own happily ever after with Simone. Sometimes the past gets in the way and HEA's don't come cheap though.

  _______________________________