An Unlikely Alliance by Rachel van Dyken Page A

his foot and tripped, tumbling to the ground and pulling
Evelyn down on top of him in the process.
    He moaned in pain. "I think it got
away!"
    Evelyn, still on top of him, laughed. "Yes.
If it weren't for your tripping, I'm convinced he would be my pet
now!"
    "I'll buy you a bunny, if I don't have to
catch it myself!" Royce pushed the cloak from her head and tugged
on a piece of stray hair. It felt like silk between his fingers.
His breathing suddenly grew ragged, and he looked into her
eyes.
    "I'm going to kiss you now." He didn't
recognize his own voice. He pulled her head closer and bestowed a
quick, beautiful kiss on her pouty lips.
    They were still only inches away from one
another, when she whispered, "What do you miss the most?"
    "About?" His arms encircled her small waist
as he prayed she would stay on top of him forever. The conversation
felt sweeter, more intimate that way.
    "About your father."
    The question took him by surprise. He didn't
know how to answer. In all these years, nobody had ever asked him
how he was dealing with his father's death. Everyone just assumed
he was doing poorly and hadn't wanted to bother him with emotional
questions. Not Evelyn.
    "Everything," he choked out.
    "It gets better."
    And she would know. Earlier he had heard
she'd lost her mother at a young age.
    "It's better now," he managed to whisper as
he went in for another kiss. "I'll take you home now."
    She nodded and moved off him. Never had his
body felt so cold and alone as when Evelyn De Jarlias withdrew from
him.
    This girl was different, and he wanted more
than a seduction, more than to marry for his mother's wishes. He
wanted a wife, for himself.
     
    ****
     
    Evelyn walked home in a blurry haze of
excitement. One minute she was chasing a rabbit; in the next she
was on top of Royce alternating talking about his father and
kissing.
    When had she become so wanton? His kisses
were addictive, much like warm chocolate or cream puffs. Once you
had a taste, you never wanted to stop.
    "Oh, perfect, Evelyn," she muttered to
herself; comparing him to food was so like her. She shook her head.
Momentarily forgetting Royce was walking right beside her, grinning
from ear to ear.
    "And how's the conversation with yourself
going, sweetheart?"
    "Fine." Evelyn smiled her sweetest and bit
her nails. Then she did a mock curtsy and turned away, staring only
at the sidewalk in front of her as he guided her along the street
back to her home.
    "Touchy."
    She glared at him but decided not to satisfy
his teasing with a response. Once they reached the door to her
house, she braced herself against another one of his sensual
barrages. In pure suspense of it all, she nearly missed a step and
had to grab on to him for support. Unfortunately, the first thing
her hand touched was the rock-hard muscle of his arms, making her
knees grow weaker than before.
    "S-s-sorry," she mumbled. She straightened
her cloak and silently stepped inside.
    Exhaling, she turned to close the door and
came face to face with Royce. Apparently, he wasn't leaving just
yet.
    "One more thing." Lingering dangerously
close to her lips, he caressed the side of her face and grinned. "I
have to say good night."
    Evelyn began to protest but was silenced by
the warm invasion of his lips. Forsaking all propriety, her body
curved into his. The kiss lasted all of three seconds, but was hot
enough to singe the hair straight off a hog.
    Royce steadied her, then flicked her chin
and let himself out. It must have been at least ten minutes before
the sluggish brain of hers came back full force and told her it was
time to crawl into bed, lest she fall asleep standing up.
    Somehow she made it into her room and fell
asleep with a giant smile on her face.

Chapter Ten
     
    "Morning," a voice interrupted Evelyn's
sleep. Must have been a figment of her overactive imagination.
    Stretching like a cat, she yawned and pushed
herself out of bed. Her body hit something hard. She opened her
eyes and gasped. Standing