Janaya (12 page)

“I told them you were my cousin. And if necessary, we can broaden the story.” Luke grinned. “How do you feel about being a cop?”

Janaya shrugged again. “Sure.”

“Just don’t bring out that weapon of yours or tell anyone to poke their fingers in their ears. It makes me nervous when you do that.”

Half an hour later, they were on their way into town, a companionable silence between them as Luke negotiated the country roads. On the outskirts of town, the traffic became heavier and suddenly came to a stop. When it didn’t start moving again, Luke pulled over and they both got out to investigate.

“Oh-oh. Trouble. There’s the reporters again,” Janaya murmured in a low tone. “They’ve spotted us.”

“Ignore them,” Luke said, even though he knew the reporters would be right in their faces before much time lapsed.

They strode along the line of vehicles. Janaya grasped Luke’s arm. “Luke, this doesn’t sound good. They’re alien hunters. They’ve come to check out the UFO sightings.”

“Damn, I thought this would blow over. Let me know if you overhear anything else useful.”

“All right.” Janaya fell in behind Luke, letting him take the position of responsibility. He sauntered up to the van parked at the front of the queue of vehicles. A group of men, women and children sat in a circle on the side of the road around a small portable gas stove. They looked as if they were making tea. A crowd of locals stood gaping at them, spreading out into the middle of the road and disturbing the traffic flow into town.

“Have you broken down?” Luke asked, instinct telling him to tread easily before he started to throw around his official status. “Can I help with anything?”

“Who are you?” One of the men stood.

Luke recognized him as the man with the long hair he’d spoken to the previous night. “I’m the local policeman.”

“Just the man we want to see. Do you know it’s against the law to withhold information on aliens?” The man spoke in a carrying voice to reach the loitering locals.

Luke forced out a laugh. “What aliens? There aren’t any aliens in Sloan. That’s unless you count the pictures in this morning’s paper.”

“There were sightings again yesterday evening. I put it to you that this is a conspiracy to hide the truth!”

Mrs. Bates pushed her way to the front of the crowd and planted bejeweled fingers on fleshy hips. “Well, I have to agree with the man. My sister and I saw the UFO last night, but the local police—you—have just fobbed us off with excuses.”

Luke groaned inwardly. Mrs. Bates. That was all he needed. And his father and Hinekiri—he could cheerfully murder them for leaving him to face the locals.

From the corner of his eye, Luke saw several children handing out pamphlets to the groups of locals who lingered to watch the show.

“If you’re not broken down, can you please move along? You’re blocking traffic and since it’s sale day today there’s more traffic than normal.” A horn blared at the end of the line of traffic to emphasize Luke’s point. “The cattle truck must get through to the sale yards.”

“We can’t move until we finish our breakfast,” the man said.

Luke ground his teeth together. “You will finish breakfast down at the station if the traffic doesn’t get moving in three minutes.”

The truck driver leaned on his horn again. A loud moo filled the air.

“Are you threatening me?” the man demanded.

“No, sir. I am stating facts.”

Luke scowled when he noticed the cattle truck driver climb down from his cab. The bandy-legged man stomped up the road and halted in front of Luke.

“Are you going to do something?” he demanded. “Or do you want me to unload the bulls right here and herd them to the sale yards on foot? Make up your mind, man. I don’t have time for this crap. I have two more loads to pick up before nine.” With each furious word, he sprayed saliva. The aroma of garlic filled the air.

Luke took half a step back to get out of range. He wiped his cheek with distaste and gave silent thanks he wasn’t a vampire. “Go back to your truck, Bill. I’ll have the traffic cleared in minutes.” Luke waited until Bill had stormed off and reseated himself behind the wheel. “Janaya, can you move on the bystanders while I get traffic moving?” He waited for her to nod assent, prayed she didn’t pull out any weapons then strode back to the driver of the parked van.

“We’re moving,” the man said, “but only because we’ve finished our breakfast. We’re heading to the camping ground and once we’re settled we’re starting an investigation into the UFOs.”

A woman wearing a long flimsy skirt stepped up beside the man. “Never fear, Henry,” she said. “The truth will out.”

It would if Mrs. Bates had her way. Luke glanced across at Janaya as she charmed the locals and persuaded them to move along. He wondered what they intended to do if they caught any aliens.

The woman climbed into the passenger seat of the first van. The man slid into the driver’s seat. He wound down the window and leaned out to give Luke some parting advice. “We’re not going to leave without conducting a full investigation.”

The two vans drove off in the direction of the camping ground on the outskirts of town. The second van backfired, leaving Mrs. Bates coughing in a cloud of black smoke. Poetic justice. Luke bit back a grin and turned his attention to getting the rest of the road cleared. Bill honked his horn, again, as he maneuvered his stock-truck down the narrow street and turned left to the sale yards.

“Did I disperse the people in the proper manner?” Janaya asked, a twinkle of mischief in her violet eyes.

Luke checked to make sure no one was within hearing range. “Sure did, sweet stuff.”

“Those people are going to make trouble.” She produced one of the leaflets Luke had seen the young children handing out.

“They intend to capture an alien and use it for breeding purposes,” she read.

Breeding. The events of the previous night flickered through Luke’s mind like a movie on fast forward.
Breeding.
He glanced at Janaya to see if she was thinking the same thing he was. Her expression remained the same—calm with a small smile.

“I… We didn’t use—” Luke broke off, the gravity of the situation making him sweat. Sweet heaven! They hadn’t used contraception last night. Or this morning.

Luke checked the vicinity for eavesdroppers again. “Can someone from Dalcon breed with an Earthman?” he blurted. One particular Earthman? Him.

Janaya frowned and for the first time Luke wished he could read her mind. There were times when the woo-woo factor might come in handy.

“I don’t know,” she said finally. “Hinekiri would know.”

Luke’s breath eased out. Okay. Perhaps it wasn’t such a big deal. Hinekiri had known they’d had sex. She hadn’t said a thing apart from letting him know how pleased she was that he and Janaya were getting on well. He considered sex for a moment and his thoughts wandered to his father. Alone with Hinekiri on the spaceship. His thoughts screeched to an appalled halt. Nope, he wasn’t thinking about that. He had his own problems.

“I’ll ask Hinekiri as soon as she returns.” Janaya’s lips tightened. “Which had better be soon.”

Luke hoped it was soon too but not for the same reasons. They’d agreed this would be a short-term fling. And that was where he wanted to leave the matter.

Luke touched Janaya’s arm. “How do you feel about doing some actual police work?”

Interest filled Janaya’s expression and Luke congratulated himself on a great distraction. They returned to his vehicle and drove to the police station. Luke parked out the back and they entered the station via the rear entrance.

“Seems things are a bit more peaceful here today,” he said.

“When there are no more UFOs, things will probably settle down in town,” Janaya said. “I wish we could contact Hinekiri to warn her to make sure the ship is cloaked before she flies over.”

“It can’t be helped. We’ll face the UFO problem when we have to.” He guided Janaya into his office and shut the door. “How about a kiss to help me through the staff meeting I’m about to call?”

“Just a kiss?”

Temptation nipped him. His cock stirred, tenting his navy-blue uniform trousers. Luke took a deep breath. “Damn, I’d like to.”

Janaya grinned. “Good. Hold that thought until later.”

“All right. If you’re not going to let me play, you’re gonna have to work.”

“Spoilsport.”

Luke grinned. “You’ll keep. Later.” He walked through to the reception area. One of the temps manned the desk. “Tony is out trying to catch Mabel. She’s run loose through Longford Park and run amuck in the pensioners’ vegetable gardens.”

“Who’s Mabel?” Janaya asked.

“Old man Jacob’s goat,” Luke said with a roll of eyes. “Believe me, we’ve had a lucky escape. I spent two hours trying to catch her last month when she made a bid for freedom. Any other problems? Apart from the UFOs.”

The receptionist grimaced. “That’s all anyone’s talking about. I’m glad I work in the police station where it’s safe. I don’t want to run into any aliens and have scars from being dissected.” She shivered theatrically before she reached for the ringing phone.

Luke chuckled on seeing Janaya’s jaw drop. He used a forefinger to close her gaping mouth.

“What planet is she on?” Janaya hissed. “That sort of thing went out with space suits and moon boots.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” he said.

The receptionist hung up. “Luke, two boys have gone missing in the bush on the south side of town.”

“How long have they been missing?”

“They were with a group of Scouts who camped overnight. They were missing at breakfast.”

“Call the fire brigade boys and we’ll organize a search.” Luke hurried back to his office and yanked open a cupboard to grab his search and rescue kit. Janaya strode after him, and he handed her a high viz vest. “Come with me. I might need help.”

Chapter Nine

Janaya gripped a handhold and hung on tight as Luke drove up the rutted track. It wound through thick bush that locked out the sun’s rays and created a still, almost creepy atmosphere. The air smelled moist and fragrant, redolent with moss and ferns and rich soil.

“How much farther?”

“Another ten minutes or so to the car park, then we walk to the campsite where they spent last night. The Scout master and the rest of the Scout pack are still there.”

Two other vehicles were present when they arrived. Janaya helped Luke unload ropes, torches and climbing harnesses. They divvied up the gear and prepared to hike to the camp.

Janaya halted Luke. “Wait for a second. I might be able to hear them.”

She cocked her head, suddenly ultra-aware of the bush sounds. The guttural cry of a plump black bird with a tuft of white feathers at its throat. The bird sat on the branch of a nearby tree, gurgling to the accompaniment of the musical tinkle of a stream rushing down the hillside. They’d passed a flock of sheep as they raced up the hill, sending them scattering across the road and she heard their bleats as they grazed on the new grass.

“Anything?” Luke asked after a few minutes of silence.

“No. Wait!” Faint voices carried on the breeze. She tensed then her shoulders slumped. “I can hear voices but I think they’re the Scouts. I can hear them calling names.”

“Come on,” Luke said. “It was worth a try. Once we get up to the summit, we should be able to see more of the hill. The bush on the far side is second growth and not as thick. The trees aren’t as big.”

None of Luke’s words made much sense so she merely nodded and fell into step behind him. Despite the seriousness of the situation, she was enjoying spending time with him. She loved the way he teased her and the way he looked at her with his eyes dark and glowing—as if he wanted to eat her up. He brought a pleasant warmth to her mind and body. It was a strange yet comforting sensation.

Her gaze drifted down his body, taking time to appreciate his physique. His movements were swift and sure and he carried himself with a commanding air that appealed to her. A broad set of shoulders, packed with muscle, tapered down to slim hips and a truly memorable butt. She enjoyed running her hands down his body. Her cheeks heated. Of course, she liked to touch the man anywhere he’d let her.

Despite her regulation fitness, Janaya’s breath soon emerged in pants. Her clothes clung to her body and the G-thing beneath her jeans dampened with her desire. She hadn’t exactly picked the right moment but she wondered what it would feel like to mate outdoors with the heat of the sunshine on her skin. She scanned the area and through a break in the trees saw a small, sunny clearing. Another time. And definitely before she and Hinekiri returned to Dalcon.

Luke slowed and waited for Janaya to join him. His small, private smile warmed her even more. “The campsite is just over that hill.” He pointed to a break in the trees and when Janaya squinted, she could make out patches of bright yellow against the green of the grass. They looked similar to the shelters her bodyguard team used when they were out on training exercises.

Janaya stilled to listen again. Beside her, Luke paused. She could hear the steady beat of his heart and found herself regulating her intake so they breathed in unison.

“Hear anything?”

Mortified heat rose up to color her cheeks then seeped down to her breasts. Why couldn’t she keep her mind on the job instead of mooning after Luke and thinking of the pleasure he sent soaring through her body. A dull, edgy heat pooled low in her belly and that annoyed her.

“Janaya?”

“I wanted to be sure,” she lied after hurriedly tuning into the background noises instead of fixating on Luke. This time, the shouts of children and the deeper voices of adults were clearly audible. “I can hear the group. The mature humans sound worried.”

“It was cold last night. They were well prepared but since we’re not sure how long they’ve been missing, we might be looking at a worst-case scenario. Hypothermia.”

Luke picked up the pace, leaving Janaya to follow. Her gaze drifted to his butt, stuck there like the tiny magnets Luke’s father kept on his cooler box. Refrigerator, she corrected herself. His long strides covered the ground rapidly and they soon reached the clearing where the Scouts had camped for the night. And that was lucky because her body was on slow simmer and almost at the boil. If they’d been alone for much longer, she might have succumbed to the temptation to toss him on the ground and have her wicked way.