Nerves. That’s all it was. Reyna didn’t know how she felt about suddenly having a father. As a rule, Felini children knew who their fathers were but the males had no part in their upbringing. She hadn’t grown up with the expectation of a two-parent family the way humans did. Besides, Jorlan had more than fit the bill as a parental figure.
Now she had a real father who wasn’t the villain she’d been led to believe. Reyna didn’t know what he wanted from her or why he felt a conversation between them was necessary. This was one of those times when her ignorance about Vampalien cultural mores was a hindrance.
Reyna washed quickly and pulled on a black one-piece body suit. In addition to being comfortable, the sleek outfit showed off the slim lines of her figure. Over it she wore the dress shirt she’d had on all day. Tariq’s scent on the material comforted her. She strode back into the living room just as a knock sounded at the door.
Tariq’s glanced encompassed all of her and he smiled his approval. “If your intent was to keep my mind on you rather than the conversation, you succeeded.”
She looked down. “Should I button the shirt?”
“Not on my account. Ready?” he asked.
“No, but you can open the door anyway.” Reyna stood in the center of the living room while Tariq went to open the door. She clasped her hands in front of her, dropped them to her sides, and then crossed her arms over her chest.
“Lord Alvaro, welcome,” Tariq said warmly as he opened the door.
“We’ve been friends too long to stand on formality,” Alvaro chided.
Tariq and Alvaro clasped forearms briefly. They made quite the contrast. Tariq in his black fitted jeans and black t-shirt which molded faithfully to his sexy body, and Alvaro with his elegant attire: black dress pants, silky white shirt, and casual black blazer. Both men wore their hair pulled back in a queue.
Alvaro glanced past Tariq and noticed her standing there. He suddenly looked as uncertain as she felt. “Hello,” Alvaro said.
“Hi,” she answered.
They stood there staring at each other.
Tariq placed a hand on Alvaro’s shoulder and urged, “Have a seat. Would you care for any refreshment?”
“No, no,” Alvaro quickly declined and moved to perch on the edge of one end of the espresso sectional.
Tariq’s new furniture had been delivered the day of the dinner. He’d promised she could change anything she didn’t like. Reyna thought the color fit nicely with the tan carpet and cream painted walls.
Tariq settled on the other end, and she curled up beside him, almost in his lap. He wrapped an arm around her and leaned to whisper in her ear, “Calm down.”
“I’m trying,” she muttered and tried to relax.
Alvaro studied his clasped hands, or maybe he was looking at the carpet. Reyna stared at him, trying to see if there was anything of her father in her appearance besides her eyes. The uncomfortable silence grew.
Finally, Alvaro broke it by asking, “I guess you wonder why I asked to see you?”
Reyna nodded, not trusting her voice to speak.
Alvaro cleared his throat. “The, ah, things they told you about me. They weren’t true. I would never harm a woman, especially not my Heart’s Blood. I, ah, loved your mother. Still do,” he added quickly. “Had things, ah, worked out differently I would have, we would have, ah…” He trailed off, and his gaze turned a bit helpless.
“I know,” she said softly, wanting to put him at ease.
“I, ah, know it’s too late—you’re an adult now—but if you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask,” Alvaro said.
Reyna hesitated and glanced at Tariq.
He met her gaze. Mentally he said, Go ahead. I think that’s a wonderful idea.
“There is something,” she told Alvaro slowly.
Alvaro perked up. “Yes?”
She took a deep breath and said, “I don’t know much about my Vampalien nature. I need someone to teach me.”
Grinning broadly, Alvaro said, “I’d be happy to but,” his gaze flicked to Tariq and the smile faltered, “surely your blood mate—”
“No, it’s fine,” Tariq interrupted firmly. “We’re in agreement on this.”
“Then I accept.” In her mind, Alvaro’s voice said, Tariq, he’s good to you? This mating is what you want?
Reyna jumped when she heard his voice, having forgotten Alvaro could telepathically speak directly to her.
“Are you all right?” Tariq asked in her ear.
“Fine,” she said quickly. Touched in spite of herself, she responded, Yes, he’s been very good to me. I want him, want us.
Should the situation ever change, you let me know. You’re no longer alone, Alvaro said.
“Thank you,” she said and relaxed into Tariq’s embrace.
Quiet fell and father and daughter studied each other. Her father was handsome. She tried to imagine herself in Isabella’s shoes, being courted by such a man. However, she couldn’t. Her experience had been totally different. Instead, Reyna searched for questions to ask, conversation to make, but her mind was blank.
Eventually, Alvaro shook his head. “It’s amazing. You’re the spitting image of Isabella. I don’t see anything of myself in you.”
“Not completely,” Reyna said, and reached up to take out her brown contacts. When Alvaro saw her eyes, he sucked in a sharp breath. “You gave me these.”
Obviously shocked and appearing enthralled, Alvaro merely stared.
Tariq tilted her head back. “Your eyes mark you as Vampalien. Had I seen these earlier, I’d have known without a doubt who your father was. Only his clan has eyes this particular shade of silver.”
Reyna shifted restlessly. Her eyes had been a sore spot for her most of her life. They’d highlighted her differences from everyone else. While growing up, Isabella had barely been able to look into them. She’d been the first to insist Reyna get contacts. It had been the same day Isabella had told Reyna it was time for her to leave the pride.
In an attempt to refocus the conversation, she said, “If you’d like, while you’re in town I’ll give you a tour of our company, Illuminator Incorporated. Jorlan’s the brains of our operation. He’s the technical wizard that makes our displays happen.”
Tariq gave into her subtle tugs and freed her chin. “You should feel honored, Alvaro. Even her Heart’s Blood has not received so gracious an invitation.”
Frustrated, antsy, and more than willing for this interview to come to an end, Reyna gave a low hiss. Her cat fed into her agitation, doing a slow roll beneath her skin. It had been days since she’d allowed it out to play and now it was making its presence felt.
Alvaro’s eyebrows shot up. “I thank you for the honor. Whenever it’s convenient for you, say the word and I’ll be there. And now, it’s time I leave before I wear out my welcome,” he said as he rose to his feet.
Reyna didn’t make any polite noises about Alvaro’s presence not being an intrusion. She stood as Tariq did and trailed behind the men to the door.
Before he exited Alvaro paused and said, “Isabella bade me to give both of you her regards. The last few days have been a shock and she’s still trying to adjust.”
When Reyna said nothing, Tariq stepped into the breach. “We understand completely.”
Alvaro made to leave but then hesitated, once more looking uncertain. “I look forward to hearing from you again, Reyna.”
“I’ll be in touch,” she promised, silently urging him to go. It was taking all of her self-control to stand in one place.
Alvaro and Tariq exchanged a few more comments she lacked the attention span to concentrate on, and then Alvaro was gone. The second the door closed, Reyna began stripping. She barely had time to toss Tariq’s shirt to the floor when the shift took her over. Lost in the change, all Reyna knew was that she needed out. Her cat needed to run, needed to feel the flex and flow of powerful muscles as it leapt and jumped.
Reyna gave over to instinct and let the cat have its head. One second she was there. The next she was gone.