Caitlyn and the Alien Protector (Intergalactic Brides 7) (13 page)

“Check out this entertainment area,” Jake said as they walked over to a pavilion in the backyard that doubled as an outdoor kitchen and seating area. There was also space around the pool for lounge chairs and another table.

“Let me guess, you have visions of barbeques out here.”

Jake laughed. “You provide the space, let everyone bring something, and I’ll be happy to take care of the grilling. This place is a dream come true for someone who likes to entertain. And did you see that massive living room?”

“I think my current house could fit within a few rooms of this one. It’s more space than I really need right now, but I know it’s a sound investment.”

“It’s in a prime school district,” the realtor said. “And since the community is gated, it’s one of the more sought after neighborhoods.”

Cosmir held Katy as they looked around one more time. He stopped in what would be her bedroom. “What do you think, Katy? Want to move here?”

Katy looked around, then gazed up at him in confusion.

“We’re going to move, Katy. This will be your new bedroom and we’ll bring all of your things with us. Your bed, your toys, your books… everything will come with us.”

That made Katy smile and clap her hands.

“On the way out, if you’ll follow me, I’ll show you where the playground and picnic areas are. This subdivision has their own so you don’t have to go to one of the city parks unless you just want to.” The realtor smiled. “It’s a great deal, too, since the price was just lowered yesterday.”

The home was a little more than Cosmir wanted to pay, but the realtor was right. The neighborhood had a lot to offer for the price. And since it was a gated community, Katy would be safer here. The Terran station wasn’t too far if they needed something, like a doctor, and his work would be nearby as well.

Cosmir followed the realtor to the playground and Katy begged to go play. Cosmir let her run around while he watched over her and discussed things with the realtor. When Katy tumbled off the rope ladder, Jake rushed to help her while Cosmir worked out a few things about the house.

“You said since it’s vacant, we can move in just as soon as we close on the property,” Cosmir said. “Any idea how long that might be?”

“Typically thirty days would be the soonest I could get you into the home, but after discussing your situation with you yesterday, I made a call to the owners and they have agreed to rent the property to you until closing for a modest eight hundred a month. Now, that’s probably six hundred less a month than they could get if they were to put it on the market as a rental. It would allow you to move in right away, but of course you’d have to move back out if the closing fell through.”

Cosmir rubbed the back of his neck. “How likely is it that closing won’t go through?”

The realtor smiled. “Not likely at all. You’re paying cash for the home, so there’s no financing involved. It will just be a matter of getting all the paperwork together and getting both parties to sign it. I don’t foresee any problems with the sale.”

Cosmir nodded.

“I was surprised you didn’t bring your wife with you. Caitlyn, wasn’t that her name?” The realtor smiled. “She must trust you a lot to leave the house buying decision up to you.”

“Caitlyn isn’t my wife, and I don’t think she’s coming with us.” He should have never brought Caitlyn into the conversation with the realtor when he’d set up the meeting, but at the time, he’d hoped she would join him.

“Well, plenty of single women in the area. A man such as yourself will draw a lot of attention. I’m sure Katy will have a new mom in no time at all.” The realtor held out his hand. “I have another showing to get to, but don’t hesitate to call me with any questions.”

Cosmir shook the man’s hand, then went over to Jake and Katy.

Jake spun Katy around, then plopped her onto a swing. Cosmir smiled as his daughter squealed with delight. They’d been to the park a few times since she’d come into his life and the swings were always her favorite.

“I think your daughter likes me,” Jake said.

“She loves anyone who will push her on the swings.”

Jake splayed a hand over his heart. “And here I thought it was my charm that had wooed her and not my ability to send her soaring in the swings.”

Cosmir laughed.

“Listen, I know I’m not set up to keep Katy, but maybe you should see if someone could watch her overnight. I think Caitlyn and you need to have some alone time together, sort out a few things, and maybe you can convince her to move here with you. She’d love this neighborhood, and I know she’d love working out by the pool on nice days.”

“I won’t entrust Katy to just anyone. There’s really only one couple I can think of, but I don’t know if they would be interested. They helped me when Katy first came to live with me. Bane is a Keshpan who has decided to move to Earth with his human mate and their child.” Cosmir frowned. “I don’t really know them very well, but Katy was rather taken with Arianna. And they have a child of their own.”

“Call them.”

“You mean right now?”

Jake rolled his eyes. “No, next week. Yes, I mean right now. See if they’ll watch Katy tonight.”

Cosmir shrugged and pulled out his phone. He’d programmed Bane’s number that first night and had called a few times to ask questions as he’d figured things out with Katy. It rang several times before Ari answered.

“Cosmir? Is everything all right?” Ari asked.

“Everything’s fine. I’m calling because I have a favor to ask. I’d like to have a night alone with Caitlyn and I was hoping Katy might be able to spend the night with you. I know it’s short notice and --”

“We’d love to have her,” Ari interrupted. “I can come get her right now.”

“I’m not home at the moment. I’m moving in a few weeks, closer to the Terran station. I came to town to check out a house.”

“Are you buying it?” she asked.

“Yeah, I think I will. It’s really nice in this neighborhood. It’s a gated community and there’s a playground. I think Katy will like it here.”

“You know, Bane and I haven’t decided where we want to live yet. When I pick up Katy, could you give me your realtor’s information? I’d love to check out the homes in that subdivision and see if anything would be a good fit for us. It would be great to have Katy close by so the kids could play together.”

“I’ll have it ready for you. Just give me a few hours to get home and gather some of Katy’s things for her.”

“Send me a text when you’re ready and I’ll swing by and pick her up. I even have an extra car seat already so you won’t have to transfer Katy’s.”

“Thanks, Ari. I’ll see you in a little while.”

Cosmir disconnected the call and noticed his daughter was standing at his feet, staring up at him with wide eyes.

“I spend the night with Ari?” she asked.

“Does that sound like fun?”

She nodded.

“Then let’s get home so I can pack your things. Ari said she would pick you up in a little while.”

Katy held her hands up, and Cosmir picked her up. Jake followed him back to his vehicle and after Katy was buckled they headed for home.

Caitlyn eyed the redhead, jealousy rising up inside her. She watched the easy way Ari handled Katy, and the absolute adoration on Katy’s face. The only thing that eased the green monster was the fact that Ari was married. If she’d been single, Caitlyn knew she’d have seen the woman as a threat. While Cosmir had been gone, she’d done some thinking and realized that she thought of Cosmir and Katy as hers. She just wasn’t sure what she was going to do about it.

Katy waved to her. “Bye, Cait-in.”

“Bye, Katy. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

Katy nodded.

Caitlyn stood in the doorway and watched as Cosmir walked out to the car with Katy and Ari. He kissed his daughter goodbye and stored her bag in the trunk before returning to the house. Caitlyn waved one last time as the car backed down the driveway and then she went to sit on the couch. She didn’t know why Cosmir was sending Katy away for the night, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

Cosmir closed and locked the door then disappeared into the kitchen. He returned a moment later sipping a cup of coffee and claimed the chair nearby. She squirmed as he studied her over the rim of his cup and she wondered what he was going to say. Had he bought the house? Was he moving sooner than he’d thought? Did he decide to stay?

“I made reservations for us at Francesca’s. Think you can be showered and dressed in the next hour? I’ll let you have the shower first if you need the time.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Unless you’d prefer to eat somewhere else?”

“Francesca’s is fine. I think I have something suitable to wear.”

“Why don’t you shower while I finish this coffee and then while you’re getting dressed I’ll jump in really quick. It won’t take me long to get ready.”

Caitlyn nodded dumbly, not quite sure what he was up to. Francesca’s wasn’t cheap. Most people in town went there for special occasions like graduations and engagements. He wasn’t going to do something insane like ask her to marry him, was he? And if he was, what would she say?

As Caitlyn showered, butterflies swarmed in her stomach. Cosmir had to be up to something, but she wasn’t sure what it was. Not that she minded going on a date with him. All of their outings had included Katy and some one-on-one time with him sounded nice, especially if he was going to move away.

He asked you to go with him
. There really wasn’t anything holding her to this town except her brother, and something told her Jake would urge her to go and give life another chance. Not to mention Jake might be moving as well. She could work from anywhere in the world. Cosmir had assured her their arrangement didn’t have to change, just their location. Moving a few hours away wasn’t really a huge deal, was it?

She shut off the water and dried off. With the towel wrapped around her, she dashed from the bathroom to her bedroom. Not that Cosmir hadn’t already seen all of her. She didn’t have anything fancy to wear tonight, but she had a pretty black and turquoise sundress with some black sandals. Hopefully, Francesca’s wouldn’t throw them out. She knew it was a fancy kind of place, and had even been once… when her fiancé had proposed. Caitlyn hadn’t been back to the restaurant since, and it still held bittersweet memories for her. But maybe it was time to build new memories in a place that had once been special to her.

Caitlyn slipped on her shoes, then checked to see if the bathroom was free. The door was partially open and the shower was running. She chewed her lip in indecision, but decided to peek into the bathroom.

“Do you mind if I dry my hair while you shower?” she asked.

“Go right ahead,” he said from the shower. “I’ll be done in a few minutes.”

“I can wait until you’re done, if you’d prefer.”

Cosmir laughed. “Caitlyn, you’ve seen me naked. I don’t think it’s going to shock you when I get out of the shower.”

Her cheeks warmed, but she had to agree. And she definitely wouldn’t mind seeing him naked again. Their one night together had only made her want more of him. Even if she wasn’t ready for happily-ever-after, it didn’t mean she couldn’t settle for happy-right-now. Since Katy wasn’t home, she hoped that maybe tonight would end with them in bed together. Even if she had to instigate it, which wouldn’t bother her in the slightest.

Caitlyn pulled out the hair dryer and began the tedious task of drying her long hair. When Cosmir shut off the water and stepped out of the shower, she couldn’t help but bite her lip as she watched him. She’d give anything to lick the water from his skin, but if she did that, they would be late for their reservation. While she wanted him desperately, she also knew they would need their strength and should eat something.

Cosmir wrapped the towel around his waist and left the bathroom, his scent teasing her nose. Caitlyn finished drying and styling her hair, then put on a little make-up. She didn’t own much after the fire, but she had enough to enhance her eyes and a little lip-gloss to make her lips look kissable. At least, that was the look she was going for. If she’d known ahead of time about their outing tonight, she’d have purchased a nicer dress and some more make-up, maybe even had her hair and make-up done professionally.

“Good thing I painted my nails this morning,” she muttered as she turned off the bathroom light and went to the living room to wait on Cosmir.

It didn’t take long for him to finish getting ready, and she had to admit that he cleaned up nicely. The dark purple shirt offset his pansy eyes rather well, and the black slacks hugged his hips and thighs. He’d forgone a tie, but he still looked quite edible. His hair was spiked to perfection and her fingers itched to run through it.

“You look beautiful,” he said as he held out his hand toward her.

Caitlyn placed her palm against his and their fingers twined together. “Thank you. You look nice too.”

“Hungry?” he asked.

She nodded.

Cosmir escorted her out to the SUV, stopping to lock the house and set the alarm. He waited until she was buckled before he started the engine and backed out of the driveway. Neither of them said a word on the way to the restaurant, and Caitlyn worried that she would have a flashback of her time there with her fiancé. They reached the restaurant quicker than Caitlyn would have liked and Cosmir had the SUV valet-parked. He placed her hand in the crook of his elbow as they went inside. Nothing had changed since the last time she was there, and her heart thumped a little harder in her chest.

“Everything all right?” Cosmir asked.

Caitlyn nodded, but wasn’t sure she could have spoken her answer aloud if she’d tried. Her mouth had gone dry and her tongue felt heavy and swollen. The host escorted them to a table and Cosmir pulled out Caitlyn’s chair. She sat and put her hands in her lap, where they twisted and fidgeted as she looked around the room. It wasn’t the same table she’d shared with Ryan, but it was close enough. Their table was two over and she watched as a young couple sat there, eyes only for one another.

“Are you sure everything is all right?” Cosmir asked.