Devoured Read online

  All of that might have been okay—after all, it was no more bizarre than some of the breakfast skillet combos you could buy at Denny’s or any greasy spoon. But there was one last layer that covered everything—a thin, sticky film of what appeared to be blueberry syrup.

  The cloyingly sweet scent of artificial blueberries mixed with jalapeno cheese eggs and salty sausage gravy rose to assault her nose and her stomach rolled. Tess had to fight hard not to make a face. Ugh!

  “Is this the correct configuration?” The big Kindred sounded anxious. “I saw a human male make a plate just like this so I assumed it must be the right thing to do.”

  “It’s…it looks great.” Tess swallowed hard and picked up the plastic fork he had thoughtfully provided. “So you say you saw a guy making a plate just like this one?”

  Garron nodded. “Except for the sweet, sticky sauce. He said he couldn’t eat it because of a medical condition which does not allow him to have sugary substances. But I knew you were perfectly healthy so I thought…” He trailed off, frowning. “I did it wrong, didn’t I? I should have added the orange liquid too. But look—I did bring some.”

  He took the lid off a covered cup and Tess saw orange juice sloshing inside. He was about to pour it over the contents of the Styrofoam box but she hastily put a hand on his wrist to stop him.

  “No, no—this is fine!” She stabbed the fork in and took a big bite to prove it. The flavors of blueberry syrup, sausage gravy, and scrambled eggs with cheese and jalapenos assaulted her tongue all at once, making her nearly gag. The waffle and the grits were mercifully bland but they did add to the strange mixture of textures in her mouth. Somehow she managed to swallow.

  Garron was frowning as he watched. “You’re certain you don’t want the orange liquid?”

  “That’s orange juice—you drink it,” she said in a strangled voice. “Here, let me…” She took the cup from his hand and took a big drink to wash away the taste of the other breakfast food. “Mmm…” She tried to smile at him. “Delicious. Thank you so much.”

  Garron smiled. “I am glad I got the configuration right after all. We still have a little time before we need to be out of the room—I’m going to take a shower while you finish your first fare meal.”

  “Of course—go. Enjoy yourself.” Tess smiled, hoping he would leave her alone so she could dispose of the weird conglomeration of breakfast foods.

  “I will but first, do you mind if I have a bite? I’m intrigued—I haven’t eaten much Earth food other than the baked goods Becca’s friend, Lauren provides.”

  “Um, sure…” Tess pushed the container towards him. “Help yourself.”

  Garron picked up another fork and got a large bite, making sure to get a bit of every layer of his breakfast creation. Then he stuck it in his mouth and started to chew.

  It didn’t take long for his face to turn red and he swallowed with an obvious effort.

  “Ugh—that was—”

  “Here.” Tess shoved the orange juice at him. “This will wash the taste away.”

  He gulped thirstily but when he lowered the cup he was frowning.

  “Tess…” His deep voice was stern. “This is terrible. You cannot tell me this is what you eat for first fare here.”

  “Well…” She bit her lip. “We do…we just don’t pile it all up like that.”

  “But the male in front of me—”

  “Was some kind of weirdo,” Tess assured him. “But actually, most of what you have here is salty—it wouldn’t have been too bad if you hadn’t topped it off with blueberry syrup.”

  “But I thought…” He sighed and shook his head. “Never mind what I thought—obviously I was wrong. But you should have told me.”

  Tess bit her lip. “I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. It was such a nice gesture.”

  “I would rather you be honest with me and risk injuring my feelings than tell me a lie just to make me feel good.”

  Tess squirmed in the tiny, hard hotel chair. If only he knew…

  “I’m sorry,” she said, looking away. “It’s just…been a long time since anyone thought enough to bring me breakfast. I didn’t want to spoil it by complaining.”

  “Oh, Tess…” Garron ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “I just wanted to provide for you, I’m sorry if I did it wrongly. It is…” He looked down. “It is a Kindred warrior’s instinct to provide for a female he is protecting. To feed and nourish her and be certain she’s comfortable. But I failed.”

  His words touched her heart and she stood to face him.

  “Garron, honey, I don’t care about this crazy blueberry-sausage-gravy-waffle surprise thing you whipped up. You sold the shirt off your back to make sure we had enough money! And you’re staying here instead of going back to the Mother Ship just because you feel guilty that Pierce—”

  “It’s not guilt,” he interrupted her, his eyes flashing turquoise fire. “I still intend to live up to my vow but I want to stay with you, Tess. And I’ll do whatever is necessary to be certain you’re provided for and safe.”

  “Thank you.” Her heart swelled at his words. Impulsively, she stood on her tiptoes and flung her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much, Garron.”

  For a moment he just stood there, arms hanging by his sides as though he wasn’t certain what to do. Then he put them around her, pulling her close until every angle of his hard, firm body was pressed against hers.

  “Gods, you’re so beautiful and soft,” he murmured into her hair. “I’ve been wanting to hold you like this again, body-to-body, ever since I had to let you go aboard the Mother Ship.”

  “Oh, I…” Tess felt a little shiver of desire and fear go through her as his hot breath stirred the hair at the sensitive side of her neck. There’s no casual hugging on his planet, she reminded herself. He probably thinks I’m coming on to him.

  If the long, hard ridge she felt digging into her belly was any indication, that was exactly what Garron thought. She tried to move away from it, but somehow she found herself pressing against it instead. Was he for real with the size of that thing? Surely no one could be that well endowed. She had a mental image of letting one of her hands trail down to cup his hot length and see for herself…but no—that was wrong. Dangerous. She needed to put a lid on this.

  Before she could say or do anything though, he pushed her gently away.

  “Forgive me.” He took a deep breath. “I swore to myself last night that I would keep the vow I made to remember Nella—that I would try not to touch you again. But I seem to have made a bad start.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…” Tess cleared her throat. “I just wanted to give you a hug to say thank you—for being so considerate and thoughtful.”

  “Oh, of course.” He nodded briefly and looked away. “A hug.”

  “I’m sorry if it seemed like…if I…” Tess didn’t know how to finish. She took a step back, feeling hot all over with embarrassment. Did he think she was leading him on? Trying to seduce him? He said he was trying to keep his vow and here I go hanging all over him wearing nothing but my nightshirt and panties. God, what he must think of me…

  Slut, whispered Pierce’s voice in her head. You little whore. She took another step back, biting her lip.

  Garron sighed. “Well, I suppose I should take my shower now. We have to leave here soon.”

  “Oh. Of course.” Tess nodded quickly. No matter what she seemed to feel between them, the big Kindred was off limits. She would do well to remember that.

  Garron gave her one last, intense look that seemed to burn her up from the inside out, and then headed for the bathroom.

  Tess watched him go, feeling like her entire body was blushing. God, why did he affect her so strongly? And how was she going to manage being holed up with him in a little cabin in the woods for who knew how long?

  Chapter Twenty

  “Think hard, Maria…I know you were on duty last night. Were there any unidentified Kindred who came down after I left