"Is that a date?"

He felt himself smile and dared not turn around. "Don't read anything into it."

"I'm wearing you down, princess."

"You need to find someone from your own planet," he called after her. She laughed and reached for the doorknob.

He waited until her heard the door open and shut before he walked back over to the men.

"I take it she's okay?" Aiden asked.

"Yes, she's fine." Darian stretched, looking around the workout yard.

Keelan walked up beside him. "She's getting to you."

"I can't afford to let her get any closer. If you were my friend, you would help me save her."

Keelan looked away. Pain shined behind his eyes. "It's because I am your friend that I am trying to save you. Did you ever stop to think that maybe it's not up to you? Trust that Fate knows what she is doing."

"If I..." Darian hesitated looking around.

Keelan stepped close. "I will protect her with my life, Darian. I'd take care of you myself," he promised.

Darian ruffled his young friend's hair. He hadn't felt brotherly affection for his friend in nearly forty years. "As if you could take me," he joked, enjoying the ability to do so. Every time he was around Amelia, it was as if his emotions were restored with her smile.

Keelan's eyes danced with relief at his playful attitude. "My kung-fu is strong."

"Come on, princess, we don't have all day!" Sascha yelled across the training grounds sending the men into peals of laughter.

Darian heard Keelan whispering under his breath and smiled. Crossing his arms over his chest, he waited.

Seconds later, Sascha's curses rang out over the men's laugher.

"Dammit, Keelan, undo the spell right now!" he ordered, banging on an invisible wall. Keelan had hardened the air all around the Gamma Unit leader.

Colton was pointing and laughing, which fueled Sascha's anger to new heights.

"Poor tiger wiger!" Colton teased.

"Leave him there, Keelan. We have actual work to do," Darian said, walking back over to the ropes where he had been working out. "I want to see the progress you made increasing the strength in your upper body."

"Sure thing," Keelan said, joining him at the ropes.

"Bastards! Let me out of here!"

Everyone went back to their workout.

"Guys?" Sascha called.

Darian held the rope while Keelan climbed.

"Guys, come on, I have to piss!" Sascha yelled.

"Go ahead, Sascha, I mean it's not like the women are watching," Colton cajoled.

"Although, Amelia did get those binoculars from somewhere," Gavriel interjected, sending Colton into fresh fits of laughter.

All around him, the men laughed and teased the Gamma Unit leader until Aiden couldn't stand seeing Sascha squirm anymore and ordered Keelan to take down the wall. Darian felt lighter than he had in years.

Maybe I have a chance after all.

CHAPTER FIVE

Amelia walked into the house and shut the door. Darian's kiss had changed something in her. In her mind, she had always known he was her mate, but after his kiss, she suddenly felt empty without him. She keenly felt the separation from him, and it scared her. Desperately needing a distraction to take her mind off her still tingling body, she headed toward the kitchen.

When she entered, Ryuu looked up from the stove. "Is there something I can do for you, itoko-sama?" he asked.

She frowned. "What does that mean anyway?"

He gave a noncommittal shrug. "It is a mode of address in my language. I find that the English language lacks proper terms to covey certain meanings," he said, not explaining anything at all.

"It sounds pretty."

Ryuu smiled and gave a half bow.

"Could you show me where Aiden's office is? Keelan brought my makeup case down last night so I could do makeovers for Beth and Meryn."

"Of course, one moment." Ryuu untied the starched, white apron and set it to one side. He walked her out of the kitchen to the foyer and down a second hallway on the other side of the staircase. He paused at a closed door before knocking.

"Come in!" she heard Meryn yell.

Smiling, Ryuu opened the door for her, and she walked in.

"Thank you, Ryuu."

"You're very welcome." He bowed again and left.

"Are you here to do makeovers?" Meryn squealed.

"Yup, my case should be around here somewhere." She looked around.

"If you mean the silver, toolbox-looking thing, it's against the wall," Jaxon said, pointing it out.

"That would be it." She wheeled the case to the small seating area where Beth and Meryn now sat.

"Is it okay if I join in, too?" Noah asked shyly.

"Of course!" Amelia pointed to the empty seat next to Meryn on the small love seat.

Meryn turned to Noah. "I'm going to get sexy."

Noah blushed furiously. "I want to look pretty."

Beth laughed. "Noah, you are pretty."

"I wish I had your eyelashes," Amelia sighed. "Women pay a lot money for false mink lashes to look half as good."

Meryn's eyes lit up. "I want to try those."

Amelia started pulling different palettes and brushes from her case. "So, will the order be Beth, then Meryn, then Noah?" she asked.

Meryn and Noah looked at each other. "Can we try it ourselves?" Meryn asked.