Violet And Her Alien Matchmaker (3 page)

She gestured toward the gorgeous penthouse. “I think he’d be getting plenty.

This is far nicer than our apartment, and it’s all he’s ever known. We’ve never had new furniture and yours looks like it just came off the showroom floor. Trust me, Simon will think he’s in heaven just getting to stay here.”

“Here’s what’s going to happen, if you agree of course. We’re going to finish our meal, and then I’m going to drive the two of you home. I’ll have boxes delivered to your home in the morning, and once your things are packed, I’ll have the essential everyday things delivered here, and the things like your pots and pans can go into my storage unit downstairs. It should be large enough to accommodate even your furniture, and if it isn’t, I’ll request a second unit.”

Violet was trying to think of a reason she shouldn’t go along with his plan, but she had to admit he was like an angel to her. Tiraz had come into her life when she needed him most, and while he was offering her a place to stay in exchange for making his meals, she thought she was getting the better deal.

“And Violet, when I said I wanted you to cook for me, I meant for Simon and

you as well. We’ll eat together, just like we did today. And whenever you have a date, I’ll be happy to watch Simon. We can play a game or something while you’re gone, or I can rent a movie for him. I’ve discovered the wonderful world of Amazon videos.”

She smiled a little at his enthusiasm.

Chapter Two

Tiraz looked in his rearview mirror and watched as Simon slept. He smiled,

thinking the little boy really was rather spectacular. He’d never seen himself with kids before, even though the thought of getting married someday flitted through his mind every now and then. The woman next to him confused him. From what he’d seen of her so far, she was soft spoken and very concerned about her son. He seemed to be her entire world, and yet, from what Tiraz had gathered during their meal, they had done without on many occasions. Why had she waited so long to find a mate?

Violet was quiet beside him as she looked out the window. She’d given him

directions and he knew he was going to the poor side of town, not an area he was overly familiar with. As his car prowled down the streets, he wondered what he was going to do with Violet and Simon. It had been impulsive asking them to live with him, but he didn’t regret it. If he could help them, he would.

He really needed to know a little more about her before he tried to match her with anyone, but he still felt Zarin would be an ideal choice. The male was friendly and liked small children, and Tiraz was fairly certain he would welcome a human child, if it meant he’d have a mate. He hadn’t lied to Violet. Zarin had been on quite a few dates, but he never made it past the first date with any of them. Tiraz wasn’t certain what Zarin was looking for, but maybe he’d find it with Violet.

Not that it would be a hardship to have a woman around the place, cooking and giving him someone to talk to. And he could always play video games with Simon.

Maybe this would be good practice for when he finally had a family of his own, not that he was in a rush. He hadn’t lacked for female attention since moving to Earth, but it had been meaningless sex. He’d felt guilty at first, until he realized they were using him just as much as he’d been using them. Once he’d figured that out, he’d stopped sleeping with random women. Hell, he hadn’t slept with a woman in over six months, and now that there would be a small child in the house, he had a feeling he wouldn’t be sleeping with one anytime soon.

When he pulled up in front of Violet’s apartment complex, he hoped he’d hid his wince. The building was run down and most of the windows were covered with sheets instead of curtains. Simon seemed reluctant to get out of the car, but Violet held out her hand to the little boy and he climbed out. Tiraz made sure to set the alarm on the car as he followed them up the broken walkway. They passed a rundown playground before stopping in front of a door with chipped paint. He noticed there were actual curtains at the window.

“This one is yours?” he asked.

Violet nodded as her cheeks flushed. He ran a hand down her back, letting it settle at her waist when he realized she was embarrassed over where she lived. She tensed a moment before relaxing into his touch, and he wondered how long it had been since a man had held her. She’d obviously had sex before, since she was a mother, but had she been with anyone since Simon was born? She’d never mentioned boyfriends.

Simon hadn’t said much about his mother looking for someone to marry. If it had just been the two of them all these years, how would he feel about sharing his mother’s attention with someone else? Had she talked to him about the situation, or had she just forged ahead without talking about it?

She unlocked the door and pushed it open. There was a slightly stale smell that billowed out of the door and he braced himself for what he might find inside. Simon trudged through the door, and a moment later, he heard a door slam. Violet motioned for Tiraz to follow her inside and she closed the door behind him. He looked around, taking in the worn couch and scarred coffee table. There was a small formica topped table with two metal chairs near the tiny kitchen. A door to his left opened to a bathroom, and from what he could see there was only one other door. The one Simon had slammed shut.

“You can have a seat,” she said, waving a hand toward the sofa. “I just need to check on Simon.”

Tiraz watched as she slipped inside the room with the closed door and he had a sinking suspicion that was the only bedroom. While Violet was out of the room, he took a moment to look at his surroundings again. There was a small dresser against one wall with a tiny television on top of it with an even older looking DVD player hooked up to it. A laundry basket on the floor held a blanket and pillow. It hit him like a punch to the gut. Violet didn’t share the bedroom with Simon. She slept on the couch.

What the hell had this little family been through? No matter what it took, he was going to make sure he changed their lives for the better. They deserved some happiness, and Violet deserved a soft bed to sleep in. He’d have to contact Zarin sooner than he thought. Not that he minded the little family staying with him, but Simon needed someplace permanent. A kid didn’t need their lives to be up in the air like this.

Violet returned a moment later with a sullen Simon trailing her. The little boy rubbed the toe of his shoe against the worn out carpet and fidgeted in front of Tiraz.

“I’m sorry for running off and slamming the door,” he muttered. “It was rude of me.”

Tiraz reached out and took Simon’s hand. “Sometimes, you just have to let off a little steam, and if slamming a door is the worst thing you’ve done, then I think we’re okay.”

A small smile ghosted the child’s lips and he gave a nod.

“You need to take a bath soon and get ready for bed. You have school in the

morning,” Violet said.

“But I’m hungry,” the little boy whined.

He saw the hesitance in Violet’s eyes and knew she was trying to ration the food.

Now that he saw where they lived, he understood a little better. She was doing the best she could, but she needed help. The apartment was clean, or as clean as she could probably get it, and she clearly loved her son above all else. But sometimes it was okay to admit that you couldn’t handle everything on your own, and Violet had reached that point.

“I have a better idea,” Tiraz said. “I was going to have some boxes delivered here tomorrow so your mom could pack while you’re in school, but what if the two of you pack a bag and stay with me tonight? I can still bring your mom here tomorrow to pack.”

Simon’s eyes lit up. “And we can get something to eat on the way to your place?”

“I’ll go through whatever drive-thru you want.” Tiraz glanced at Violet to see what she thought of his idea. There were tears gathered in her eyes and he watched as she pulled herself together.

“Go pick out an outfit for school tomorrow and some pajamas. You’ll still need a bath tonight,” Violet said. “I’ll get the bag out of the closet.”

Simon whooped and hurried off, leaving Violet behind. When she looked at

Tiraz, he had to lock his knees in place. The gratitude, longing, and pain he saw in her eyes was enough to make him come undone. He’d never felt anything for a woman before, but he felt a piece of the wall surrounding his heart crumble a little. Reaching for her, he pulled Violet into his arms and held her for as long as she allowed. When she pulled away, she went up on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his jaw before hurrying away.

Tiraz reached up and touched the spot, feeling the tingle all the way to his toes.

No one had ever given him such a chaste kiss before, and yet it packed more of a punch than any of the kisses his easy conquests had given him. Her kiss touched him and made him want…something. There was a shift inside of him, something he couldn’t name, as he stood staring dumbly at the door she’d just vanished through.

A few minutes later, she returned carrying an open bag, and moved toward the dresser holding the TV. He averted his gaze as she pulled out a bra and panties, wanting to give her some privacy. When he heard the drawer close, he saw that she had zipped the bag and was clutching it in her hand once more. Tiraz wasn’t about to make her carry the bag to the car and took it from her; a look of surprise flitting across her features.

“You have everything you’ll need for tonight and the morning?” he asked.

Violet nodded, but Simon ran back to his bedroom. When he returned, he

clutched a brown bear in one arm and a blanket in the other. Simon looked at Tiraz hesitantly, as if waiting for his approval. Had someone belittled him for wanting to carry his stuffed bear with him? Tiraz knelt in front of Simon and touched the bear’s ear.

“Who’s this?”

The boy clutched the stuffed animal tighter. “Bear-bear,” he said in a near

whisper. “Do I have to leave him here?”

“Of course not. In fact, I think it would be great if you showed Bear-bear around the penthouse when we get home. He’s never been there before and he might get lost if he doesn’t know his way around.”

Hope shined in Simon’s eyes as he nodded and hurried over to his mother. When Tiraz stood and looked at Violet, her eyes were shiny with unshed tears and she mouthed the words
thank you
to him. There was definitely a story behind this little episode, and it was one he hoped to find out soon, but for now he needed to get this little family home—after making a stop for Simon’s food.

They piled into the BMW as Tiraz stashed their bag in the trunk. With what little they had in the apartment, he could probably fit everything but the furniture in his car, but he didn’t have a problem hiring someone to move their things to the penthouse. The less work Violet had to do, the better. He didn’t want her to put herself in jeopardy by trying to lift something that was too heavy. She seemed like the sort who wouldn’t ask for help.

When they reached the fast food restaurant, he parked the car instead of going through the drive-thru. Simon was practically bouncing in the backseat. Either the kid really loved cheeseburgers, or he seldom got a chance to eat out. Tiraz figured it was the second option. He opened his door and got out, then waited for Violet and Simon to do the same. It took him by surprise when Simon hurried to his side and reached for his hand. That strange feeling he’d experienced earlier was back. If it kept up, he’d have to see a doctor.

Once inside, Tiraz assured Simon he could order anything he wanted, and

prodded Violet into ordering something for herself as well. After their order was placed, Tiraz sent Violet and Simon to find a table for them while he waited on their food. As he waited, he observed those around him, making sure Violet and Simon were safe. There had been little hate crime committed against his kind, but he didn’t want to make any assumptions when he had precious cargo with him.

His order was called and he carried the tray to the table. Simon jumped up and asked if he could get the drinks. Tiraz offered to help knowing there was no way a boy Simon’s age could carry three drinks. Violet was smiling when he glanced back at the table from the drink station, and he wondered how many opportunities Simon had had to just hang out with an adult male.

“Are you sure you don’t want to marry my mom?” Simon asked. “She’s really

nice!”

Tiraz smiled. “I’m sure she is, but I don’t think I’m ready for a family right now.”

The light in Simon’s eyes dimmed. “But if I weren’t here, you’d give mom a

chance, right? I know I’m the reason she hasn’t gotten married before now.”

Tiraz knelt down. “Why do you say that, Simon? Anyone would be lucky to call you their son. “

“Then why don’t you want me?”

“Oh, Simon.” Tiraz smoothed a hand over the boy’s head. “It isn’t that I don’t want you. I’m not certain I’m ready to be a daddy yet. It’s a really important role and I might screw it up. But I can be your friend, if you’ll let me.”

Simon nodded, but he still seemed a little sad. Tiraz would have to make sure when he set up a date for Violet, that the boy would be included at some point. It wasn’t just Violet looking for a husband, but Simon was looking for a father. Since the boy liked video games, and Zarin had something of an obsession with the things, he thought it would be a good match.

At the table, Violet smiled at her son and then swung that megawatt smile his way. That same funny feeling hit him right in the chest, but he shook it off. They ate their food, and Simon kept looking between Tiraz and Violet. About the fourth time, Tiraz finally had to ask what was going on in the little boy’s head.

“You keep watching us,” Tiraz said. “Do I have mustard on my face?”

Simon giggled and shook his head. “This is only the second time I’ve had a

family meal. It’s only ever been mom and me when we’ve been able to get a hamburger out somewhere.”

Tiraz studied Violet, noting the blush in her cheeks.

“Well, we can eat together every night if you want. For as long as you live with me. But I’m sure the male your mom ends up marrying will want to spend time with the two of you as well, to get to know you better.”