Talen leaned in and brushed a kiss across her forehead. “Make sure you eat something today.”
Janie nodded, wanting nothing more than to dive into his arms and have him fix the world for her like he’d done when she was young. Even now, as an adult, she knew Talen Kayrs to be invincible. But it was time to grow up and fix her own problems. “I just need a little time to think and will see you both later.”
Cara paused, her blue gaze taking in her daughter. Understanding lifted her top lip. “Don’t think too hard, and be careful.” She stressed the last with a knowing tilt of her chin and then allowed her husband to lead her from the room.
Janie watched them go, her head reeling. She’d never sleep if she didn’t at least talk to Zane and find out what was going on. Yeah, she was thinking with her heart and not her head. Silly woman. More than anything, she wanted him to tell her that she was right about him and that he cared for her. That they’d work together to save their peoples.
Realistically, she needed to find out his agenda. Friend or foe?
So, with a resigned sigh, she crossed the room and headed through the main lodge and outside into a drizzly day. Ducking her head against the rain, she hurried down the sidewalk to her home with its spectacular view of the ocean.
Once inside, she flipped on the fire and settled down at a pillow. Warmth surrounded her, and the fire’s crackle helped soothe raw nerves. She took in several deep breaths, exhaling slowly. The alcohol helped her to drop into a meditative state almost immediately.
The dream world environment matched her mood. Gray, wet, and stormy. She stood beneath a sheltering pine, her gaze on the ocean. Rain splattered against rocks, competing with the spraying waves. She shivered, even in the dream world.
He didn’t keep her waiting.
Zane walked across the sand, combat boots leaving large indents. Rain beat against his dark T-shirt, outlining ripped muscles in an impressive chest. Cargo pants covered his powerful legs as they ate up the distance between them. Even through the rain, his green eyes sizzled in a masculine face. Soon, he reached her, his expression guarded.
So many questions whirled through her that her mind blanked. “Why?” she whispered.
Something flashed in his eyes, and those generous lips smirked. “Why what?”
That easily, that quickly, she roared from sad to furious. In one smooth, well-trained motion, she slid back a foot, pivoted, and nailed him in the cheek with a right cross. The hit shocked her probably more than him.
Zane’s head jerked back.
Pain ripped from her wrist to her shoulder. His jaw was made of granite.
Thunder split the imaginary sky in waves of blue and red.
He pivoted back toward her, danger cascading off him.
Her wrist aching, she punched again.
This time he blocked her, easily capturing her fist in one broad palm. “No fighting in dream worlds, remember?” he rumbled, closing his hand over hers in warning. The thunder clapped again as if in agreement, a deadly reminder of when Zane and Kalin had come to blows in a dream world that had nearly exploded.
Violence wouldn’t be tolerated in the dream worlds, and Janie tried to pull herself back to reality. To start thinking and stop feeling.
Too late. Regret, pain, sorrow—every emotion slamming through her ripped to the surface, and all she could do was fight. She slammed a fist into his gut and then pivoted to nail him in the thigh.
With a low growl, he took her down.
Hard.
Her butt hit the sand first, followed by her head. Zane sprawled over her, one hand manacling her wrists above her head, his jeans soaking hers.
Fire lanced through her so quickly her breath heated. Well over two hundred pounds of hard-muscled warrior pressed her into the soft sand, making it nearly impossible to gain purchase and fight. Air panted out of her lungs, rubbing her breasts against him.
Desire flared her nerves awake, multiplied to the nth power by the fury consuming her. She struggled futilely against him, her hips bucking. This was her dream world, and she’d change it.
Sucking in air, she tried to concentrate.
“Stop.” Zane gripped her hip, yanking her closer.
The world stilled as his groin met hers. An erection harder than steel pressed against her. Heat pooled at the apex of her legs, stunning her with need, and lava unleashed through her body with an intensity unmatched by any other feeling. Ever.
He groaned. “Don’t try to leave the world. We’re not done yet.” His hold tightened.
