As their kiss ended, he prepared himself for a second sensual foray.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?”
At the sound of the unwelcome, if familiar, male voice, he reluctantly turned his attention from Francine. The sight of the kitten chewing on Francine’s finger brought a smile to his soul, but he shaped his expression to an impassive one when he looked over his shoulder.
“What do you want, Edgar?”
His unfortunate acquaintance from the bounty hunter world had landed on Earth the day before and practically attached himself to Raphael’s hip, as the Earther expression went.
“I came to tell you about a bounty.”
Randel Edgar stood tall, but his narrow shoulders remained perpetually hunched, as if he’d spent his early life only looking at the ground. The excess flab he carried over his belt had grown into a full-fledged potbelly from excesses in drink and rich food on paydays. When he wasn’t talking, he looked like he was perpetually trying to hold his breath, thereby holding in his stomach, which didn’t work to slim him.
He looked older than his actual age. Though not unattractive, Edgar’s excesses had been hard on his body. Bounty hunting could do that to a person, but Raphael decided long ago not to let it happen to him.
Raphael pushed out a silent lungful of air. He’d been dodging the man since his arrival, hoping Edgar would take the hint and leave him alone. Now that he’d finally hunted him down, Raphael suspected Edgar would continue to be a noisy nuisance.
“No, thanks. I’m not looking for a bounty right now. I’m on vacation.”
“I see that.”
Raphael cut his eyes to Francine. She looked sweetly dazed, and didn’t seem to notice the kitten’s nips on her fingertips. Had he done that with his kiss? Made her mindless? He hoped so.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your new girlfriend, Boudreaux?”
“Nope.”She’s not my girlfriend.Yet. But maybe soon.
“Why not? Afraid I’ll steal her away from you when she finds out the truth about you?”
He wasn’t certain what truth Edgar wanted to share, but suspected it was unflattering. Edgar was considered jaded by most everyone he knew, and what Earthers called a big jerk.
Raphael typically worked alone. On occasion, he teamed up with another bounty hunter if it suited his purposes. Edgar would never suit his purpose.
“Again. No, thanks.” Raphael kept his gaze on Francine, not looking at his fellow bounty hunter. Edgar knew the truth about his history, but Raphael didn’t want him to spill it. Not now. Not yet. She’d find out soon enough, but he wanted to tell her in his own time.
“So polite and yet still from the gutters of Ichor-Delta,” Edgar taunted. Mentally, Raphael rolled his eyes.
“Better to be from the gutter than to be an annoying tattletale,” Francine said under her breath, loud enough for Raphael to hear. He grinned and winked at her, garnering a lovely smile.
“What was that?” Edgar asked, leaning closer, his expression squinty, tone demanding.
“Nothing. Go away.”
“Don’t you want to discuss the bounty hunter job?”
“No. Like I said, I’m on vacation.”
Edgar huffed. “More likely you’re just a lazy bodyguard with benefits.”
That’s it! You’ve stepped on my last nerve.
Raphael released Francine and marched over to stand toe to toe with Edgar. In a low, growling tone, he said, “Shut your filthy mouth. Here is the candid truth. Whether or not I’m looking for a bounty, I’m most assuredly not interested in working with you, ever. Whatever your purpose here, give it up. I’m not listening to you. I’m not helping you. I’m not going to work with you. Ever. Have I made myself clear?”
“Indeed, you have.” Edgar’s swagger was back as his eyes narrowed. “But hear this, Boudreaux. You’re making a big a mistake. This bounty might change your circumstances.”
Raphael cracked a mirthless smile. “I’m not making a mistake. I don’t want to change my circumstances. I do not want to work with you. I repeat—go away.”
He returned to Francine and took her gently back into his arms. He hoped Edgar would leave, but the odious man had to speak his mind.
