Chase, Zara - Tigers' Temptation [Impulse 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (8 page)

“Have you?” He sighed and stood up. “Don’t say I didn’t try.”

“I don’t understand what it is that you want from me.”

“Hit the shower. We leave for the Cat’s Whiskers
in half an hour.”

Chapter Six

As soon as Layla stepped outside the Institute she felt tight-chested again, just as she had when she’d first arrived in Impulse. It was hard to get enough air into her lungs, and she felt light-headed and queasy.

“You okay?” Philo asked.

“Just a bit breathless.”

“The atmosphere here takes a bit of getting used to,” Mikael said, not seeming the slightest bit affected by the thin air himself.

“Something about global warming, didn’t I read?”

He waved a hand dismissively. “Yeah, something like that.”

“How far is this place we’re going to?” she asked, struggling to keep up with them even though they’d obviously slowed their pace to match hers. “Can’t we drive?”

“It’s only a few blocks over,” Philo said. “And, in case you hadn’t noticed, no one drives much in Impulse.”

“I hadn’t, but now you come to mention it, there doesn’t seem to be much traffic.”

“The place is too small to bother with cars,” Mikael said. “We either cycle, use golf carts, or walk.”

“A golf cart would have been good,” she said with a wry twist of her lips. “Can we rest for a moment?”

“Sure.”

They stood on either side of her, breathing easily, chatting about nothing in particular. She, on the other hand, bent over and gulped in as much oxygen as she could extract from the air.

“Just take it easy,” Mikael said, his large hand coming to rest on her back. “Stay calm and try to get your breath back.”

“What the hell do you think I’m doing!” She would have sighed, but couldn’t spare the breath. “Sorry, I know you only want to help. Okay, I’m better now.”

“Want me to carry you?” Philo asked, winking at her.

“Hell, no! If you guys can walk, so can I.”

By the time they reached the Cat’s Whiskers
she was dripping with perspiration and regretted turning Philo’s offer down. The moment they walked through the door her chest felt lighter, she could breathe normally again, and the air-conditioning rapidly cooled her heated skin. She looked around the waterside bar and restaurant with interest. It seemed to be doing a decent early-evening trade. Most of the people in there turned to look at them and waved greetings, which Mikael and Philo returned.

“Everyone, this is Layla,” Mikael said.

“Hey, Layla,” responded dozens of voices.

“Do you know everyone in here?” she asked.

“Pretty much,” Philo told her. “This is the locals’ meeting place.”

“And this is Rafe Landon,” Mikael said. “Rafe’s the owner of this fine establishment, as well as being the unofficial boss man around Impulse.”

Layla found herself looking into the face of another impossibly handsome man who also had piercing blue eyes. Did all the men in this place look so good? If so, how come it wasn’t swamped with needy women?

“Hey, Layla, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Er, likewise.” Layla found her hand engulfed by both of Rafe’s. “It’s a cool place you’ve got here.”

“Thanks, we like it.”

“What did I miss?”

“This is Vilas Tanner,” Philo said. “Rafe’s partner.”

Did that mean what Layla thought it meant? The two guys had an easy kind of intimacy that made her think of Mikael and Philo with their cocks tied together. She shook her head. It must definitely be something to do with the refined atmosphere that was giving her such fancy ideas.

“Don’t let them overwhelm you,” said a feminine voice from behind the bar.

“Come and meet Chantal,” Mikael said. “She’s Rafe’s wife.”

“Hey, what about—”

“Shut up, Vilas,” Philo said.

“Oh yeah, sorry.”

“Hi,” Chantal said, not giving Layla much time to wonder what that little dispute had been about. “Welcome to the madhouse. What would you like to drink?”

“Er, white wine, if it’s no trouble.”

“Girl after my own heart.” Chantal poured a glass for Layla and another for herself. “Cheers.” She clinked glasses with Layla. “Welcome to Impulse.”

“Thanks, but I don’t intend to stay long.”

“That’s what I said.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Two months.”

Layla raised a brow. “And you met and married Rafe in that time. You’re a fast worker.”

“Wouldn’t you have been, faced with those…I mean, with someone who looks like him? Besides, it only takes a moment to fall in love.”

“Yes, I suppose it does.” Funny, but having met Mikael and Philo, Layla could relate to that sentiment. Not that she was in love with them, was she? No, of course not, but she did feel a connection toward them that was hard to explain. She’d certainly never known anything remotely like it before, even when she was convinced that she had been in love. “Have you gotten used to the thin air yet?”

“Oh, yes, Rafe and Vilas sorted me out on that one.”

“How did they manage that?”

“You’ll find out for yourself,” Chantal said enigmatically. “If you decide to stay.”

“Staying isn’t an option for me. I have other commitments.”

Chantal tilted her head and flashed a knowing smile. “We’ll see.”

“It seems kinda intimate in here. Everyone seems very comfortable with everyone else. Does it ever get rowdy?”

“Not really. Impulse as a whole is the family I’ve always wanted. It sounds cheesy, but it’s true for all that. We really do look out for each other. It’s kinda nice.”

Layla felt a sudden bout of loneliness. “Yes, I’m sure it must be.”

Chantal excused herself to serve another customer, and Layla was approached by another woman.

“Hi,” she said. “I’m Lily. Are they taking good care of you?”

“Yes, they’re making me feel right at home.” She glanced around, trying to see where Mikael and Philo had got to without making it obvious that she was checking up on them.

“They’re chatting to Rafe over in the corner. Something about council business, I think.”

“Council?”

“Oh, nothing to concern you. Here’s Rochelle. Have you met her yet?”

“Hi,” Rochelle said. “I hear you enjoyed my cookies this afternoon.”

“You made those? They were delicious.”

“Glad you liked them.”

“Rochelle oversees the catering in this establishment, including takeout,” Lily explained.

“In that case, I shall be sure to eat in the restaurant before I leave.”

Rochelle laughed. “I think that’s already in hand.”

One person after another introduced themselves to Layla, making her feel more and more comfortable. Chantal was right. There really was a homely feeling to the people and the place. They treated her like they’d known her forever and as if they expected her to stay. She gave up trying to put them right on that after the first half hour. Mikael and Philo came and went, leaving her to chat to people, almost as though they didn’t want to put any pressure on her.

Once she started to relax, she noticed weird things. Everyone seemed to have the same lithe, graceful economy of movement. They rubbed against one another’s faces in the middle of conversations for no apparent reason, heard comments that were beyond Layla’s acute hearing, and made purring sounds whenever they laughed.

“Oh, here’s Vadim and Zayd,” Lily said, pointing out of the window to a small motorboat berthing at the dock.

Layla gasped when the man driving the boat cut the engine and leapt a good ten feet onto the dock, landing as softly as a leaf falling from a tree, not disturbing the floating dock with his weight. The other guy, handling the lines on the bow, tied them off and made an even longer leap.

“How do they do that?” she asked no one in particular.

“It’s a gift,” Philo said, coming up behind her and slipping an arm around her waist. “You having a good time?”

“Yes, actually I am. Everyone’s made me very welcome.”

“Hungry?”

“If I say
yes
,
does that mean I get to sample more of Rochelle’s cooking? If so, I’m ravenous.”

Philo laughed and took her hand. “Come on, then. They’re holding a table for the three of us.”

Mikael’s attitude seemed a little less formal as they occupied a quiet booth and enjoyed an intimate dinner. Even so, there was a wariness about him that was absent in her interactions with Philo, like he was trying to make up his mind about her. Now that she knew of his history with journalists, she mentally cut him some slack. She thought of what was at stake and decided that she’d stay another day or two, try to win his confidence, and get him to tell her what they
really
did at that Institute. If there was even an outside chance that they’d found a way to miraculously cure terminal illnesses then she wasn’t going anywhere until she got to the bottom of it.

“Why do people keep coming and going so much in the bar?” she asked. “I’ve seen several of the same guys in and out over the last hour.”

“Haven’t you realized yet that the Cat’s Whiskers is the center of the universe, at least as far as Impulse is concerned?” Philo asked.

“Yes, but that doesn’t explain why—”

“People make a habit out of stopping in when they’re passing, just to make sure they’re not missing anything.”

“And since you’re new to town, they’re curious,” Mikael added.

“Don’t tell me I’m the only stranger in here?”

“Pretty much,” Philo said, chuckling. “How does it feel to be famous?”

“Scary.”

“It shouldn’t. They’re good people. Can’t think of any other crowd I’d prefer to have at my back in a crisis.”

“No, small-town life has a lot going for it. It’s easy to lose sight of that in today’s busy world.”

The guys laughed when she was unable to resist one of Rochelle’s delicious desserts. They declined themselves but were more than happy to help her with her cheesecake. She fed spoonfuls directly into their mouths, blushing when her eyes clashed with Mikael’s and she recalled exactly what he’d done to her with his mouth earlier that evening.

“That was good,” she said, pushing the empty plate away and patting her full stomach.

Philo laughed. “So we see.”

Layla was in no hurry to repeat the journey on foot to the Institute. She still hadn’t gotten over the way her chest tightened in that damned freaky atmosphere. She almost cried with relief when they stepped out the door and a golf cart was parked there, clearly intended for their use.

“Your chariot, madam,” Philo said with a theatrical bow.

“How did you know?”

“Lucky guess,” Mikael said, sliding behind the wheel.