A Seacat's Love (Oceanan Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  What else could he do? Being the man that he was, Rick would not—could not—allow anything to happen to Tigif. Leonora thanked him with a smile that could brighten a room. Rick’s heart banged furiously against his ribs at the heavenly sight.

  Looking everywhere but into her hypnotic eyes, he struggled to stay focused. “Leonora, do you…umm…think you can…aah… change your clothes if I…” He cleared his throat. “Help you sit up?” He noticed his hands shook. He hid it by making two fists.

  “My clothes?”

  “Yes, honey, we…umm…ahem.” His eyes rolled in disgust. “We have to get rid of your clothes. The bathroom is next door. I’ve… uh…brought you a shirt of mine. But I’m afraid we’ll…aah…have to buy you a pair of jeans later. We don’t have much time right now.”

  He showed her the shirt and then placed it at her side. “I don’t know if I’ve been discovered yet, but I don’t intend on staying here to find out. We’re leaving immediately to my safe house. No one knows of its location but me. So how about it, darling? Do you think you can do it?”

  “Of course,” she replied, already sitting up.

  Rick smiled at her inner strength. He placed a supportive arm around a shoulder that trembled. “Here, let me help you.” Five sharp blades dug into his left bicep and yanked him from her side.

  “She does not need your help, human!”

  “Tigif! What are you doing?” Leonora scolded in disbelief.

  “If anyone is going to assist her, it shall be me.”

  “Tigif!”

  “It’s all right.” Rick raised his hand to assure her.

  “No, it is not all right. Tigif—”

  “Forget it, Leonora. Really, there’s no time for this. I need both of your clothes immediately.” Looking into her pale eyes had a soothing effect on him. “I’ll be in, in about fifteen minutes. Do you think you’ll need more time?”

  “All I need is five,” she answered him just as softly.

  This time Rick gave her his most dashing smile and wink. “That’s my girl.” He faced Tigif with a seething expression. “You can change in the bathroom, and you have two minutes.” He held up two fingers for emphases.

  The cat opened his mouth. Rick figured he was about to protest. Leonora cleared her throat, stopping him. Instead, Tigif growled and stormed off to the bathroom. Rick followed him out. Before closing the bedroom door, he took a last peek over his shoulder. A glimpse of firm, young breast, trying to escape a blouse one size too small, caused him to exhale—sadly.

  Man, get a grip. Rick scowled. She belongs to someone else. Besides, she’s not even human.

  He went back to his bedroom to put on his disguise. It consisted of larger clothes that made him appear thinner, a salt-and-pepper wig, black-colored contacts, a silicon face that made him look three times older, and some silicon fingertips. When he had rented the car, he had used an alias.

  While he blended in the edges of his mask with makeup, he thought of Leonora’s deceptor device. It would be much easier if I had one of those. Rick stared at the older man in the mirror. I wonder how I would look as a cat.

  Back in the guestroom, Leonora gingerly removed her torn, bloodstained denim pants and shirt from her aching body. She detected the sound of running water from beyond her closed door. Not about to wait in the nude for Tigif to finish, she put Rick’s black shirt on.

  It was made of silk and fell to midthigh. His mesmerizing scent, combined with the shirt’s softness, soothed her frail nerves. Since she crashed into him in the research lab, he filled her thoughts. She had felt an instant attraction for the human, the likes she had never known with any male—feline or alien.

  Everything about Rick pleased her. From the top of his golden crown and blue eyes, to his muscular built, down to the soles of his black booted feet. He showed signs of being a noble, brave, and honorable warrior. Those were qualities she found most appealing. Not many would place so much on the line for aliens. The only male she knew with those qualities was her brother.

  I wonder. Her fingers took their time to inspect a sleeve with admiration for the owner. Could all this have happened for a reason? Onssa, are you trying to tell me something?

  Leonora glanced around the room. It was a cozy room with yellow walls, a full-size bed, a wooden dresser, and a matching nightstand. She found no artwork on the clean walls. However, mounted on the wall opposite the bed was a medium-size, rectangular screen the humans use for entertainment and delivery of important news to their citizens. The humans called it a television.

  Oceanans had similar monitors, but not as large, that were only used for communication not for entertainment. Entertainment was found elsewhere.

  Her attention moved to the door. She thought of the decorator, and her stomach fluttered. It was too soon. Matters of the heart cannot be rushed. She must allow it to play out as Onssa wished.

  An Oceanan would overcome any obstacle to obtain their desired mate. Nevertheless, most would not mate with someone who had a black heart or was already paired. Their honor would not allow it. There were many things unknown about Rick McCall. Until she uncovered his secrets, his past, Leonora could not allow her wounded soul to be exposed.

  She needed a distraction. Since Rick had not returned for her clothes, she would take them to him. On opening the bedroom door, the sound of water stopped. She reentered the room and headed back to the bed. She decided to leave her garments on the bed for Rick, while she showered.

  She waited by the bathroom door for Tigif to exit. It remained closed. Leonora became frustrated. She took that opportunity to scan the room beyond the small hallway. Perhaps a hint to who Rick was would reveal itself to her through his furnishings.

  The hallway ended at a large room painted a rich yellow. This room displayed a colorful, yet tasteful, artwork over the fireplace mantel. Her sights landed on the brown leather sofa and loveseat. Her stomach rebelled. Unhappy with her discovery, she rushed back to her room.

  How could Rick have seats made of animal skin? I thought he was honorable. She sat on the bed. How could he? Her hands landed on her boney knees. She rubbed her eyes and forced her mind off the topic for now.

  She looked at the bathroom door. It remained closed. By the time a dripping tiger sauntered out, her foot was tapping away on the wooden floor.

  Leonora vaulted off the mattress. “Have you forgotten we are being hunted? Can you possibly go any slower?”

  “I can, but I figured you would like to bathe.” He suggestively smiled and inched closer. “Do you require assistance?”

  Leonora rolled her eyes and shook her head. “We have no time for this. Excuse me.” She brushed past his blocking form.

  She locked the door and rushed to the stand-alone shower. What she really wanted was to soak in a hot tub. Alas, as she told Tigif, there was no time for it. As it turned out, it was the best ten-minute shower she ever had. When she exited, she noticed her clothes were still on the bed. She picked them up and headed in search of Rick.

  In the living room, Tigif stood beside tan curtains. His focus was outside. An elderly male appeared from the hallway across from her. She tried to recall if Rick had mentioned someone else lived in his house. Tigif spotted the old male and prepared to pounce on him. That answered her question. She hurried forward to stop a catastrophe from occurring.

  The old male raised his hands in the air and exclaimed, “Whoa there, tiger! It’s only me.”

  Leonora and Tigif sniffed the air.

  Tigif regarded the male closer. “McCall?”

  Leonora could not believe her nose. How could two men be one?

  “That’s right.” Rick’s smile showed he was pleased his disguise worked.

  Tigif pointed to the old, wrinkled face and attire. “Why do you look this way?”

  I had no idea humans could disguise themselves so proficiently without a deceptor device. Leonora inched forward quietly. Amazing. Neither man knew she stood behind Tigif’s large frame.

 
“There’s no time for explanations.” Rick held out an aged, freckled hand. “Do you have your clothes ready?”

  “Here you go?”

  “Thanks.” He made to walk around Tigif. “I’ll go ahead and get Nora’s and—”

  Tigif blocked his path and pressed an extended nail into Rick’s chest. “You stay the blazes away from my Nora, human. If I see you touching her again, I will kill you. Understood?”

  The lines on Leonora’s face deepened in anger. She understood Tigif’s distrust for the humans at the lab. It was even acceptable for him to be suspicious of Rick. Nevertheless, Tigif comes from a planet far more advanced than Earth. She saw no reason for him not to know there are good and evil beings among all species. Etiquette dictated that he keep his misgivings silent and give Rick a chance to prove himself. She scanned Rick’s face for a reaction and spotted anger flaring in his black eyes.

  Rick ignored that daring finger and took a challenging step closer. “I don’t recall giving you any reasons to believe I would appreciate being threatened.”

  “Tigif! What in the blazes do you think you are doing?”

  The irritation Leonora felt sounded clearly in her voice. Like two schoolboys caught placing a snake into their teacher’s desk, the men jumped and faced her. Rick bowed his head and began to fidget. Tigif stood ramrod straight.

  “Nora, you should be in bed resting,” said Tigif, wiping the drool off his lips.

  “Do not tell me where I should or should not be. I am not your Leonora. I asked you a question.”

  Rick could not believe his eyes. Before him stood a pint-size woman, covered only in a dress shirt that reached to the middle of thin thighs. Two small fists placed upon her hips brought the shirt up even higher. Her chestnut hair, dripping from a recent shower, hung past her bony shoulders, and her once dull pale-blue eyes sparkled brighter as she effortlessly lectured the six- foot-three tiger.

  Never had Rick seen a woman possess such fire, such courage, such strength, especially in a sickened state. Seeing Leonora so furious made him fearfully cognizant of how truly extraordinary she was. Guilt surged through him.

  Mary had been his life. She had given him boundless joy and love. She had given him a daughter. Sadly, she had never displayed strength during a crisis. Her strengths were more of a spiritual nature, based in her faith in God. Unlike the woman before him, Mary had never been able to hold up during confrontations. She always depended on Rick to deal with troublesome situations.

  Rick had not minded at the time. In fact, he had felt it was how it should be, with him being the man and a spy. It was not until her death that he wished she were better prepared to defend herself. Perhaps if she knew how to shoot a gun, or disentangle herself from her attacker’s grasp, she would still be alive.

  Since that day, Rick had turned away from women who had shown any signs of weakness. He also ran as fast as he could from those who had shown signs of becoming attached. Both were clear indications of trouble waiting to happen.

  Leonora was the first to display traits completely opposite of what he was accustomed to. He had no defense against them. Like Tigif who jumped to attention when she bellowed, his manhood stood at attention after seeing her in such a state.

  Clenching his jaw, he used Tigif’s discarded clothes to hide her unexpected effect on him. He was a split second too slow, for he caught Tigif eyeing his erection.

  The feline emitted a low growl. He turned his attention to Leonora. “Nora, control yourself. You—”

  “How dare you tell me to control myself. You are the one threatening Rick. Have you lost your senses?”

  Rick fought against the smile that threatened to appear on his wrinkled face. He failed to recall the last time a woman defended him.

  “Leonora, I can explain—”

  “Explain what? That you are being irrational? That you are daft? That my sister is going to be paired off with an inconsiderate idiot?!”

  The men’s faces lit up brighter than a Christmas tree. Rick was uncertain if he heard correctly, yet, he hoped it was true.

  Tigif took a rigid step toward Leonora. “I think you better return to bed and remain there until I say you may get up.”

  Rick saw a slight twinge of pain cross Leonora’s face. Combined with Tigif’s aggressiveness and superior attitude, it killed his need.

  Leonora stood taller and replied, “And I think you should remember who is the senior officer and scientist here.”

  “I’m in charge here,” Rick interrupted in a strong, loud voice. It was high time to set the record straight. “For as long as you are on my planet and under my protection, you will do as I say. That goes for the both of you.” He scowled at them for making him take on that hated, authoritative tone. His glare challenged them to argue. Neither dared.

  Satisfied by the exchanged, he went to Leonora and pried her clothes from a clenched fist. “I have to get going.” He smirked. “I’ll dispose of these bloody clothes and then clean up and return my rented car. The two of you should be safe here while I’m gone.”

  He headed for the den’s exit. “Don’t answer the phone or go near the door. Tigif, feel free to roam around the house for whatever you’ll need for her comfort. I’ll try to get back as quick as possible. Be prepared to leave when I return.” As an afterthought, he added before he exited, “Be sure to wipe everything you’ve touched thoroughly. We can’t afford to leave any evidence behind.”

  The door barely closed, and Tigif grabbed Leonora from behind. He roughly shook her and growled. “How dare you speak to me in such a tone in front of that human? How could you tell him that I am solely your friend?”

  Leonora was slow to reply. His sudden outburst caught her off guard.

  “Answer me, Nora!” He shook her harder. “How could you?”

  She frowned up at him, questioning his intelligence. “Because you are. And if you continue to harass me, that will end also.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. Release me!” She freed herself and stepped away from him. “You should be ashamed of yourself. You are engaged to my sister.”

  “That engagement is a farce—invented so that Challen would not have second thoughts of allowing you to participate on this expedition,” revealed Tigif with a self-contented grin.

  “What did you say?”

  He stared into her eyes and explained. “Challen has become an overbearing nuisance since you blossomed into a bewitching feline. He has not allowed any male near you.”

  Leonora placed her hands on her hips. “Challen may be protective of me, but that does not give you the right to insult him. Nor are you to shorten my name without my consent. My name is Leonora. Please remember that.”

  “I have heard Challen and Karla call you Nora many times.”

  “Challen is my brother, and Karla is my sister. Everyone else calls me by my birth name, Leonora.”

  “What about the earthling? He has called you Nora. I do not recall hearing you give him permission to do so.”

  True. However, Rick’s shortening of her name was like a balm over an open wound. She did not intend to correct him.

  “What does Challen have to do with your engagement to Karla anyway? He has given you his consent for her hand.”

  “You are avoiding my question, Leonora.”

  “Rick is human. He knows nothing about our ways. Now you answer my question.” She crossed her arms and waited. She was unmoved by the narrowing of his eyes. She would not be intimidated by him or any other male again.

  “If I were to succeed in courting you, I had to come up with a plan. Knowing that dear brother Challen,” he said rather caustically, “would never agree to allow you to accompany a trip with a bachelor on board. So I decided to get to you by going through your sister.”

  “What?” Her arms fell to her sides.

  “I felt Challen would not disapprove if the males you were traveling with were of no threat.”

  “Of no threat?”

  “Co
rrect. Tamiron was too old to court you. Leo and Pandor were paired. This then left me—a young, good-looking, unattached bachelor. So naturally, I had to think of a way to convince your brother that I, too, was of no threat to you. And it obviously worked, for here you are.” He tapped her nose with his finger.

  Her frown deepened. “Challen was sent on a last minute assignment as an Oceanan delegate to speak on behalf of King Oren and our race. His goal is to try to establish an agreeable peace contract between the Aligned Worlds and King Oren, so Oceana can become part of the alliance. Do you even know what I mean?”

  Tigif yawned.

  Leonora sneered at his display of lack of interest. “The Aligned Worlds is a group of peaceful planets that agree to not only trade with one another but also agree to protect each other from the enemy, whomever that enemy may be. It was the only way King Oren saw of insuring peace and freedom on Oceana for future generations. With Challen sent to the space station, there was no one left who could keep me from leaving on this expedition.” Her hands flew to her hips. “In other words, Tigif, Challen does not know!”

  A huge smile crept over his face. “And who arranged that?”

  Leonora did not like the mischievous glint in his eyes. It made her fearful. “What do you mean?” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.

  “Who was the one to nominate Challen for the job? Who was the one who insisted that he was the best candidate for delegate?” He took a step closer. “I arrived after the meeting. I overheard Oren discuss this issue with Seacat Forrest. I nominated Challen to get him out of my way.”

  Her jaw dropped.

  “Come on.” The pads of his fingers skidded over his wet lips. “Do not tell me you really are the naive, little innocent. And all this time I believed you to be the scheming, coquettish hellcat.”

  “Do not insult me!”

  “Nor you me. I know you find me attractive.” His voice took on a sultry tone. “I know you played along, so you could be alone with me.”

  “What?!” Leonora scurried back, a safer distance from his looming form.

  “Karla told me of the nice things you said about me.”