Accidental Acquisition (Kindred)

As if on cue, the mental image of the erotic massage he’d given her the day before popped into her head. The way his big, warm hands had felt caressing and massaging her body…

“Do you want me to come give you a massage?” Kalis asked. His mental voice was warm and interested. “It would be my pleasure, Mistress.”

“No, no—that’s not it either!” Jillian exclaimed, frustrated at herself and her traitor brain that kept digging up things she didn’t want the big Kindred to see and then showing them to him. “I need your advice about the Nebrian spines,” she sent quickly, before more X-rated images could rise to the top of her head.

“Nebrian spines? What about them?” She could hear the frown of confusion in his tone.

“I think they got me after all. I mean, everywhere the ambassador touched me, is all red and painful and itchy! I didn’t notice until I went to take a shower and then—“

“The water activated the venom from the spines,” Kalis finished for her. “Yes, I’ve seen this problem before, Mistress.”

“Well can you tell me what to do about it?” Jillian demanded. “I mean, is there some kind of cream or ointment I can use?”

“There’s plinkum salve.” Kalis sounded doubtful. “It will neutralize the pain and itching—”

“Perfect,” Jillian interrupted him.

“But it will also stain your skin a permanent, bright purple for at least five solar years.”

“What? But I don’t want purple skin!” Jillian protested. “Won’t this, uh, venom eventually wear off on its own?

“Sure.” Kalis sounded like he was shrugging. “If you don’t mind waiting a solar year for it to work its way out of your system.”

“So my choices are unbearable pain for a whole year or purple skin for five years? That’s awful!”

“There is one other choice.” Kalis sounded reluctant to mention it.

“Really? What? Tell me!” Jillian sent eagerly.

“You may not like it,” Kalis sent carefully. “But if you’ll let me, I can heal you, Mistress.”

“You? How? Not by turning into that massive, uh, bear-thing you turn into, right?” she sent anxiously.

“Well, I would be channeling my other form’s healing powers, but no, I wouldn’t have to actually change forms—not for something as simple as a Nebrian spine rash,” Kalis sent.

“Okay, good.” Jillian breathed a mental sigh of relief. “Then would you mind coming over to my place and, uh, helping me out? I’m in a lot of pain here!”

“It would be my pleasure to heal you, Jillian,” he replied, in that deep, soft voice that somehow felt like someone caressing her bare skin with the softest fur. “Just give me the location of your suite and I’ll come over at once.”

“Thank you!” Jillian sent him some directions and she felt a mental nod coming from his end.

“Be right there.” And then he broke the connection.

34

Kalis wondered, as he took the tram over to Jillian’s suite, if she would be so willing to let him heal her once she found out exactly what the process entailed. It was apt to get rather…intimate. Especially considering the places the spines had scratched her.

He could tell—by the thoughts she had inadvertently sent him—that she wanted him sexually. But he could also tell that she didn’t want to admit that to herself. She seemed to have some kind of reluctance about getting close to him and he didn’t think it was all because of his Ursus. There was some other reason too—maybe something to do with her past?

Kalis didn’t know what it was, but he hoped to find out. Maybe if he knew why she was reluctant to become involved with him, he could ease her fears and bring her closer.

It doesn’t matter how close you bring her if she’s never willing to meet your Ursus, whispered a pessimistic little voice in his head.

Kalis tried to push it away, but he knew it was true. Until the curvy little female met and tamed his other half, any bonding between them was impossible. And right now, she was scared to death of the gigantic beast that lived inside him.

Patience, Kalis told himself. You’ve been waiting for her for two years—a little more time won’t make any difference. There’s no need for her to meet your Ursus tonight. Right now you have to concentrate on getting her to let you heal her before the venom gets any deeper into her skin.

He just hoped Jillian would understand and accept what he had to do in order to get that done…

35

The knock on her door came not a moment too soon. The red rash caused by the Nebrian ambassador’s spines was becoming unbearable. In fact, it hurt so much Jillian could barely stand the touch of the light silk robe she’d wrapped around herself—even though it was pretty much the softest thing she owned.

The minute her suite door slid open, she beckoned the big Kindred inside.