Sighing, she sat down on the couch, surprising him when her weight almost slid him into her. The scent of cinnamon rose from her like a perfume. Only elves rich in power smelled like that. How had he never noticed before? But then again, it had only been the last few days that she’d let him get that close. Their bonding over Saladan’s slights at the farm last week had led to six dates—six dates at the pace of a thawing glacier. Trisk wasn’t cold, but she wasn’t forthcoming, either, and he found he enjoyed the challenge.
“Any more caffeine, and I’ll get the shakes,” she said as she looked at the coffee-stained side table with its mugs and sugar cubes. “Daniel asked me out for lunch today afterward. You don’t mind, do you? He wanted to talk to me about something.” Her brow furrowed. “He should be here by now. He said he wanted to watch the show.”
“No, I don’t mind,” he said distantly, wondering if the awkward man was going to try to make a last-ditch play for her. Maybe he should address that. “It’s not like we’re going steady.” He hesitated for a telling moment. “Are we?”
Trisk visibly colored, clearly caught off balance. “Uh, I don’t know,” she said, then turned to Rick’s infectious laugh.
“I can’t keep track of the little thing,” Rick said as he half spun, the cord from the state-of-the-art mic dangling from one hand. “I’m so sorry. Perhaps if I remove my jacket,” he added as he handed the mic to the technician. Groaning sensually, he slipped his jacket off, stretching his shoulders and tossing his silky, wavy hair to make the tech blink in consternation. Clearly Rick was enjoying himself, and Kal smirked as Saladan watched in a high-eyebrow question.
“Dr. Cambri?” a second technician said, and Trisk stood, the first hint of nervousness showing as she ran the black cord under her jacket. Saladan, too, was being miked, and Kal rose when the tech finished with him and came over. Kal clipped the mic to his lapel and tucked the wad of cord into a pocket. He’d never been in front of the cameras before, but he wouldn’t let any of them know that by a show of ignorance.
“I have one of your fuzzy tomato plants in my backyard, Dr. Cambri,” the technician working with her said. His shoes were scuffed and his clip-on tie was askew, but he clearly knew his job. “Got it for free at the grocery store. It’s grown almost as high as my garage. I’ve been giving tomatoes away all summer.”
“They tend to do that when they’re taken care of,” Trisk said, her shoulders shifting as she felt the weight of the wire. “It isn’t on yet, is it?”
“Not yet.” The older man fiddled with a little box before timidly fastening it to the back of her skirt’s waistband. “We’ll plug you in before you sit down. No need to overwhelm the guys in the booth. Four guests at once is our tops. Have fun out there. And remember, everyone will forget what you said the instant the next segment comes on, so don’t sweat it.”
Trisk flashed him a nervous smile as she sat back down. “Thanks.” Her knees jiggled as she fidgeted. “Come on, Daniel. You’re going to miss it,” she whispered as she looked at the door and then at the muted TV in the corner showing the current segment wrapping up.
Kal cleared his throat. “Where is Daniel taking you for lunch?” he asked. “Sander’s is open this time of day. It’s right on the river. You can get a mimosa.”
“Champagne before six?” Trisk said good-naturedly. “That’s a little early, isn’t it?”
“Yes, well, I don’t know about you, but I’m going to need a little something after this.” He sat down again, and wincing, he forced himself to take another pained sip of that horrid tea. “Rick, are you up for lunch before heading back to the office?”
“I’m taking the rest of the day off,” the living vampire intoned, his gaze heavy on the tech still lingering in the greenroom. “I may have other plans.”
“Trisk!” Dress shoes sliding loudly on the tile floor, Daniel lurched into the greenroom. Behind him, his studio escort turned and jogged off. “I made it.”
Kal’s expression stiffened at the relief that spilled over Trisk’s face as she stood. “I was starting to get worried,” she said, and Daniel took her hands, holding her at arm’s length to look her up and down in appreciation.
“I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” Daniel’s smile was just as wide. “Wow, you look great. A real credit to Global Genetics. Trisk, I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m nervous,” she admitted, touching her hair and fiddling with her necklace. Her vulnerability struck Kal, and a surprising feeling of jealousy cascaded through him. She was free with herself around Daniel, a common human, but with him, she was distant and politically polite—and that was on a good day. Seeing her tentative smile and the support she got from the man, Kal decided he didn’t like it.
“You can’t tell.” Daniel tucked a strand of her hair back in place. “You’ll be fine. Everyone loves their fuzzy tomatoes, and they’re going to love that you made them.”
Her gaze flicked to Saladan, who was stoically ignoring Rick sitting beside him, the vampire trying to draw him into conversation. “Yes, well, just wait. It will be you up there next year.”