Chase, Zara - Tigers' Temptation [Impulse 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Zara Chase Page A

We met later.”
    “Is that why you came to see me when I called here and not Mikael?”
    “Yep. Anyway, don’t worry about him. He’s warming to you.”
    Layla rolled her eyes. “You could have fooled me.”
    “He just gave you a bone-melting orgasm, didn’t he?”
    “True, but he didn’t stick around for long afterward.”
    “Mikael has good reason to be wary of journalists, but I’ve never seen him have sex with one before.” Philo flashed a full-wattage smile that made her feel weak at the knees. “That’s progress. Trust me on this.”
    “You know him best.”
    “I do, and my advice to you is to be completely honest with him about your reasons for being here. You do that and I’ve got a feeling his attitude will change pretty damned quick.”
    “But I have been honest.”
    Philo looked at her for a long time, cream hair flopping across intelligent blue eyes that looked disappointed by her response.
    “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 Whiskersin 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 Whiskersshe 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