Shift for Hire 
A. J. Cove 
 
 
 
All rights reserved. 
Copyright © 2006 A. J. Cove 
 
No part of the e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Amira Press. 
 
ISBN: 0-9789935-2-7 
Formats available:  
HTML, Adobe PDF, Mobipocket 
 
Publisher: 
Amira Press 
Baltimore, MD 
www.amirapress.com 
 

Chapter One 
 
 Tara leapt over a trashcan and hurtled full force down the narrow alley.  She felt the sting of something cutting into her arm and ripping the flimsy blouse she wore.  Still she didn’t stop and refused to look behind her.  She could hear his pounding steps in hot pursuit.  If she wasn’t careful, he’d catch up and then she’d be in trouble. 
 “Come on, Tara.  You’re easily faster.  Which way?”  She exited the alley onto a crowded street and glanced left and right.  An opening presented itself in the gridlocked traffic, between two buses.  Tara squeezed her plump frame between the two vehicles and picked up her speed again.   
Her chest was tight, her breathing labored.  She judged herself to have been running for at least fifteen minutes.  Still he followed, never dropping behind.  Lacy had not been kidding when she’d told Tara he was a distance runner.  He might not be able to match Tara’s speed, but she was beginning to lose that advantage with the wear on her body to keep her form. 
“This is ridiculous.  I’ve got to lose him.” 
She sped to the opposite side of the street and rounded a corner.  Just ahead was the park.  She was hopeful of losing him there.  Even his endurance couldn’t match her ability to jump.  She’d use her last reserves to get away. 
Fate was not on her side.  A car suddenly pulled out in front of her, cutting off her access.  She crouched and tried to leap clear, but one foot caught on the bumper, clipping her jump.  Tara crumpled across the hood and slid to the other side of the car onto the ground.  The jarring pain in her ankle told her she was done for the time being. 
The driver of the car, a wizened old man, stepped out and bent over her anxiously, “Are you ok, maam?  I didn’t see you.  I’m so sorry.” 
“She’s fine.  Get lost.”  He didn’t seem to be breathing hard at all, Tara noted.  And the hatred she’d seen earlier was still present. 
“Look, just leave me alone,” she told him boldly. 
Ignoring her command, he pulled her up by the collar of her blouse and dragged her spent body to the side of the road. 
“Hey, now.  That’s no way to treat a lady,” the driver protested. 
“She’s no lady.”  He tangled his hands into her hair and pulled hard.  “She’s a Shift.  Do yourself a favor and go now.” 
Tara cried out, fighting against his hold.  She tried to close her eyes, to keep the driver from seeing her face.  But he saw.  Her eyes grew, for an instant, into their natural form—overlarge and pearl black.  She knew they revealed very little white, unlike human eyes. 
The driver hesitated.  “Still, there are laws…” 
His hand moved to a pocket of his jacket where a bulge was unmistakably a weapon.  No other convincing was necessary.  The little old man shuffled into his vehicle and tore off, his tires squealing.   
Tara had since gained control of her eyes.  They returned to match the pretty face of the human woman she was mimicking.  But the man was not fooled.  He tightened his grip on her hair. 
“Where is she?” 
“I don’t know what you’re talking about?”  Tara struggled against his hold.  She kicked violently at his leg with her one good one, causing herself pain. 
He was not deterred, “I said, where is Lacy?  You’ve got two seconds before I kill you.” 
Tara gasped.  She thought hard of a way to escape.  “Look, this is crazy.  You’ll go to jail.  There are witnesses.” 
He laughed cruelly.  “Who cares about a Shift?” 
“The law!” She was angry, at herself for not having the physical ability to outmaneuver him.  She’d have to use her head.  “Think about what you’re doing, Jay.  I just decided to try on a new face today.  I don’t even know your girl.” 
He sneered, “Is that right?  Then why did you come into my office telling me it’s over, acting like Lacy.  And why do you know my name?” 
Damn it!  “It was a joke.  I saw her in a restaurant somewhere talking about breaking up with her boyfriend.  Just a joke.” 
He slammed her head against the pavement and she nearly blacked out from the pain.  “Liar!  Try again.” 
“I…”  Her voice trailed off.  She felt her control slip.  Her mind was too mottled to hold the form.  Her skin darkened to a smooth caramel brown, poreless to the naked eye.  It was the quality of her people that made them appear ageless.  Tara’s eyes took on their natural form, expanding to one and a half the size of a human’s and darkening to a black deeper than a pearl.  She cried out as her limbs narrowed and lengthened.  She was at least four inches taller than Lacy and much thinner.  The transformation in her legs caused the injured ankle to throb and she braced herself against the tenderness.  Her smooth skin and the size of her eyes were the only physical characteristic that pegged her as an alien.  Now, she was fully exposed. 
Tara took a deep breath to try again to convince Jay to let her go, to accept that his girlfriend no longer wanted anything to do with him. 
“Let her go.” 
She held her words.  Jay froze and glanced back.  Tara could just make out a man, standing in the light of the sun.  She couldn’t see his face and wondered if he was a Shift. 
He spoke again, “I said let her go.” 
Jay stood, his hand still tangled in Tara’s hair.  He pulled the gun from his pocket.  “You need to mind your business.” 
The man stepped from the glare and Tara got her first view of him.  He was beautiful—tall and muscled.  His eyes, normal-sized, human, were an incredible green.  Tara was sure she’d never glimpsed that shade before.  All of her people’s eyes were black.  She stared, drinking in his form, perfectly proportioned with his broad shoulders and long muscled legs.  He must be at least a head taller than Tara’s five foot ten inches. 
Jay was not impressed.  He raised the gun to level it at the beautiful stranger, but an instant later he was unarmed.  Tara blinked.  How had the man moved so quickly?  He’d stepped forward and with a twist of his wrist, he held the gun in his own hand. 
Now Jay sung a different tune, “Alright look.  I’ll let her go.  It’s not a big deal.” 
The stranger narrowed his eyes, “Isn’t it?” 
“No, see?” Jay released Tara’s hair and she pulled herself away from his reach. 
She examined her ankle to find it swollen and changing color.  She winced 
A few more meaningless phrases and Jay took off at top speed down the street and around the corner out of sight.  The man didn’t follow.  He bent instead over Tara. 
“Are you ok?” 
“Yes.”  She struggled, attempting to stand. 
“Here I’ll carry you.” He reached for her and she shrank away. 
“Don’t be ridiculous!” 
He frowned, “I wasn’t aware that I was being ridiculous.  You’ve obviously hurt your ankle.” 
“So?” 
“So, I will help you.” 
Tara was annoyed, “I don’t need help.  I can handle it.” 
“Just like you handled that guy back there?” 
Tara bit off more rude words.  After five years of living on this planet, she was still not used to the overbearing males.  It boggled the mind that they treated the females as the weaker of the two species. 
“I appreciate your assistance.  However, I was just about to free myself from him.” 
“How?” 
:She glared up at him from the ground.  “What?” 
He grinned, his teeth very white.  “How were you about to free yourself?” 
“I…What does that matter?” 
“Well,” he said, stooping in front of her, arms resting casually on his knees, “I hear that your kind are not very good at physical combat.” 
She was offended, “My kind can do anything yours can do.” 
He grinned again, “No offense.  Then why do you not learn to defend yourself properly?  I mean since you have a problem with accepting the help of us human males.” 
Tara wondered if he read minds.  She slid herself closer to a nearby tree and used the trunk to haul herself up to her good foot.  A wave of dizziness assailed her and she gripped the tree tighter, wrapping her arms around it. 
“You know,” he spoke just behind her, too close, “it would have been more comfortable if you were gripping flesh like that rather than hard scratchy bark.” 
Tara turned her head toward him to give him a piece of her mind and noticed he was not looking at her at all—at least not at her face.  His attention was absorbed by her rear.  She looked down and remembered too late about her clothing.   
Tara had insisted she wear Lacy’s clothes to meet the girl’s boyfriend.  Unfortunately, Lacy preferred very short skirts.  Now that Tara was in her own taller form, Lacy’s skirt had ridden very high.  So high that nearly half her bikini-covered butt was on display for this stupid human.  And he looked like he was enjoying the view. 
Angrily, she yanked on the skirt, but it didn’t budge.  She used one hand to block his sight and one hand to hold on to the tree. 
“What do you intend to do now?”  He laughed at her plight. 
“None of your business,” she snapped.  “I don’t need you.” 
“Fine.  Have a nice day.”  He turned and began to stroll away. 
Tara growled.  “Damn it!  Ok, wait.” 
He stopped but didn’t face her. 
“I…” 
“Yes?” 
“Help me now!” 
He pivoted, “Is that a command?  I’m sorry I don’t follow those.” 
She gritted her teeth.  “Arrogant piece of—“ 
“Excuse me?” 
She sighed, “Ok, please help.” 
He nodded, “That’s better.” 
With little effort, he whisked Tara into his strong arms, smiling down at her.  She was shocked by the lightening sense of pleasure that coursed through her body at contact with his.  It was unheard of.  Never had she been attracted to a human male.  She turned her head away rudely and waited for him to move. 
“I’ll take you to a hospital.  There’s one just a few blocks away.”  He started down the street. 
“No, take me to my office on Belmont.”  And then as an afterthought, “Please.” 
“Your wish is my command.” 
“Sure it is.” 
 
Tara soon learned her rescuer was named Drew Pierce.  He didn’t admit to her his occupation, but she expected he had money.  His car was an expensive one, a Mercedes Benz.  It looked brand new to Tara’s eyes.  She ran her hand over the black leather and sighed.  Even with a hundred jobs like the one she just finished, she’d never be able to afford a car like this. 
“You have money then?” 
He spared her only a glance, his attention on the heavy traffic, “Always so blunt?” 
“I thought you knew my kind.  We have not learned tact.  Well, I haven’t.” 
“Slow learner?” 
“Human!” 
He laughed, “I’m supposed to be insulted?” 
She said nothing. 
Within a half hour they pulled up to her tiny office.  Looking up at the peeling paint and handmade sign, she felt embarrassed knowing he must be judging her based on the condition of her business.  What could she do?  It wasn’t easy for a Shift to make a living here.  They did the best they could. 
Drew was just lifting Tara into his arms, when Coltech threw open the front door and flew down the steps toward them.  “Oh, Tara.  I knew it.  I knew this would happen sometime.  I told you.” 
Tara was annoyed, “Shut up, Coltech.  It’s not a big deal.” 
Her assistant wrung his hands, worry pulling down at his large alien eyes making him look like a mutant bull dog.  Tara tried not to laugh. 
“Tara.  You’re hurt.  What will we do?” 
“You’ll move and let me get her inside,” Drew commanded. 
Used to following orders, Coltech obeyed and followed on frightened dancing feet. 
Drew set Tara on a tattered love seat in her small waiting room and stood over her, taking in the layout of her office.  She couldn’t help but notice every flaw he must be seeing.  There was the torn fabric on the arm of the chair, the missing tile in one corner and the most obvious lack of clients or employees, except Coltech.  She felt conspicuous and moved to stand, but the pain in her ankle precluded it and she fell back into the chair gasping. 
Coltech let out a high pitched whine like a dog and Tara’s thin patience snapped.  “Coltech, stop being an idiot and look at my ankle!” 
He jumped and cut off his frantic cry before falling down dramatically at Tara’s feet.  She dropped her head against her chest and pressed her lips together. 
“Perhaps I’d better take you to the hospital after all,” Drew told her. 
“Don’t be ridiculous.  Coltech will take care of it.” 
He frowned, “Doesn’t look like Coltech can do anything other than make a pest of himself.” 
“Shows how much you know.” 
At that moment light flashed bright from Coltech’s hands and warmth followed to heat Tara’s swollen appendage.  She forced herself to relax and wait for the healing to begin.  Coltech may be a typically weak male Shift—though the males were unable to shift—but he was very useful in some respects.  Tara trusted him completely to make her feel better. 
Her gaze returned to Drew to find the expected look of astonishment on his handsome face.  “What?  You didn’t know this about male Shifts?  And I thought you knew simply everything.” 
He roused himself, “I know you felt overwhelmed with my physical prowess, but there is no need to think I know all things.”  Again the self-satisfied grin. 
Tara frowned, “Smart ass.” 
He tsked, “Such language.  You’ve learned so much since you’ve come.  Pity you haven’t learned self-defense?” 
She curled her nails into the palms of her hands, her eyes flashing all the dislike she could toss at his head.  He chuckled, unruffled. 
“For your information, I went to one of those schools where they teach people self-defense.” 
He crossed his arms, “And?” 
She looked away, “And I was not allowed to take classes.  They didn’t want to teach a Shift.”  She blinked several times.  He didn’t need to see her cry too. 
Drew softened, “I’m sorry.” 
“I don’t need your pity,” she growled.  Shoving Coltech away, she stood, wobbling slightly on her weakened ankle.  But the pain was gone and she patted Coltech’s shoulder before he stood up. 
She looked again at Drew.  He was contemplating Coltech.  “Is he your husband, Tara?” 
“Of course not.  He’s my assistant, my life assistant.” 
“Life assistant.  What does that mean?”  Drew moved closer to Coltech as if he was some strange phenomenon needing to be studied.   
Tara slid between the two men.  “Never mind.  You’re not getting him in some lab.  I know others have sold their assistants to science.  Coltech is not for sale.” 
Drew stared at her as if she had two heads, “What do you mean for sale?” 
Tara turned her head to Coltech, remembering her state of dress.  “Coltech.  Clothes!” 
He immediately scurried from the room without comment. 
Drew was apparently not to be deterred, “Why would you even think of selling him?  He’s a person.” 
“I wasn’t.  Isn’t that what I just said?”  She plopped down in the chair again to cover her butt, and yanked on the shortened top to cover her belly. 
Drew noticed and stared distractedly for a few moments.  “Tell me.” 
Tara found herself confessing, “I’m not going to tell you my whole life history.  I’ve got things to do and I don’t know you.  Suffice it to say Coltech belongs to me.  I’m not giving him up.  Case closed.” 
Coltech returned to the room carrying jeans and a t-shirt.  Drew glanced from Coltech to Tara and back again.  His confusion was obvious, but she wasn’t going to explain herself.  Let him wonder. 
“If you’ll excuse me,” she told him. 
Coltech leapt forward and pumped Drew’s hand, “Thank you so much for returning Tara.  I was so worried.” 
Drew nodded distractedly, still watching Tara.  She ignored him and pretended to be absorbed in examining her clothes.  Soon he got the hint and left.   
“Coltech, lock the door.” 
He did and Tara slumped back against the chair, forgetting the clothes.  Coltech, from years of practice, calmly undressed her and helped Tara into her jeans and top. 
“You’re attracted to him,” he said simply. 
“That’s crazy.” 
Coltech pulled her to her feet, holding the jeans for her to step into them.  She sighed and looked out over his head as he stood to button the pants.  He shrugged his shoulders knowingly.  “It may be crazy, but it’s true.” 
“You don’t know everything,” she told him, annoyed. 
Coltech didn’t answer. 
 
Tara’s micro business, Shift for Hire, was on its last leg.  She couldn’t get enough clients.  With the changing laws, said to protect all man and Shift kind, Tara was finding clients a precious and scarce commodity.  No one wanted to risk being on the wrong side of the Shift Laws just in case a new one cropped up to make Tara’s work illegal. 
“Mrs. Jessup, as I told you, scanners are only in financial institutions and government buildings.  I will not be violating anything.”  Tara was fed up with trying to convince this silly woman, she would not be breaking the law. 
“How can you know that?” 
Tara sighed, “Because I keep up on the laws.  I have to, to make sure I’m legal.  My livelihood and that of my assistant depends on it.” 
“Well,” Mrs. Jessup chewed on a nail.  “I just want you to tease my husband.  Nothing sexual.  I want to know that he is still faithful to me.  This old girlfriend was very nearly his wife and she’s very beautiful.”  Here the woman had the nerve to look Tara up and down, apparently gauging whether Tara could measure up. 
Tara resented the look that said she was doubtful.  “Give me the picture!” she snapped.  The woman complied and Tara slipped into her back room.  Whenever possible, she did not shift in front of anyone, except Coltech. 
She clicked on the light and studied the photo.  The woman was beautiful, with long flowing blond hair.  Her sweet almond eyes made Tara wonder why Mr. Jessup chose Mrs. Jessup rather than this woman.  “Must be the money.  It was always a matter of money.” 
Tara stepped out of her clothing and stood naked in the empty room.  She had no shame of her figure.  By human or Shift standards, she knew she was considered beautiful in her own right.  Her breasts were full and pert, her waist small rounding out to nicely shaped hips and long legs. 
She studied the picture again and then closed her eyes, visualizing the young woman in the photo.  Her skin was lighter, a soft cream.  Tara had no trouble fading her skin tones to match and enlarging her microscopic pores to mimic a human’s skin.  She felt her eyes shrink and her nose lengthen.  It was a relief to know from Mrs. Jessup’s description that the girlfriend was just about the height of Tara, so she didn’t need to shorten or lengthen her legs.  It was a good thing.  Changing the length so soon after her injury would not be advisable, according to Coltech.  Tara would respect his expert advice on the matter. 
Within five minutes, she had donned a large housedress and returned to stand before Mrs. Jessup.  “Well?  Do I look like her?” 
The woman gaped.  “How?  It’s impossible.  I’m overwhelmed…” 
“Do I get the job?” Tara said flatly. 
“I’ll have to think about it,” she snapped, grabbing up the picture.  “I’ll call you.” 
The woman slammed out of the office just as Coltech entered. 
“Damn it!” Tara yelled. 
“What’s wrong, Tara?” Coltech rushed forward, dropping his bags by the desk. 
“I’ve blown another one,” she grumbled. 
Coltech tilted his head to the side.  “You look beautiful with all that long blond hair.  Who are you?” 
“Some fart’s old girlfriend.” 
Coltech chuckled. 
“I was too…too…” She struggled for the words. 
“Blunt?” Coltech offered, unconsciously echoing Drew’s words of a few days ago. 
“Don’t say that!” She yelled again.  She did not want to be reminded of the man she hadn’t been able to keep out of her mind.  This was a strong, self-confident human male, and she hated that type.   
Coltech patted her hand comfortingly, “There, there, Tara.  You’ll see.  I’ll get you a case.  You let me handle it.” 
“I suppose I must,” she sighed, transforming to her natural state and allowing the housedress to slide to the floor.  “You are better than I am at talking to these people.” 
Coltech reached down for the housedress, completely unaffected by Tara’s naked form.  He wrapped the dress around her and guided her to the back room.  She lay down on the couch there and closed her eyes to rest a few moments.  Sleep had eluded her over the last few days.  Worries of where she would get the money to pay the rent on this place and her tiny apartment three blocks away, weighed heavily on her.  If she just had herself to worry about, it wouldn’t be so bad, but she had to think about Coltech and he could eat as much as any female Shift.  She groaned into her arm, slung across her eyes.  What was she going to do? 
“Tara, I got one!  I got one!” 
“Ha?” Tara lifted her head, still groggy from her brief sleep.  “Got what?” 
Coltech’s black eyes sparkled happily, “Tara, I got you a new case.  And it pays big.” 
Tara was fully awake, “I was only sleeping a minute.  I think you better explain, Coltech.  You didn’t sign anything did you?” 
He laughed, “Of course not.  I don’t have that authority.  And you were asleep for three hours.” 
“What?  Well what’s the assignment?” 
Coltech bounded beside her on the couch, “You’ll never guess.  You’ll never guess.” 
Tara reached out and took hold of his shoulder, “Keep still.  I’m not going to guess.  Tell me what you have.” 
Coltech pouted, “Ok, spoil sport.  This man came in and he wanted someone to mimic his wife.  He showed me her picture.  She’s pretty.  He wants you to mimic for one week and he’ll pay you a lot of money for it.” 
Tara considered this news, “How much?” 
He named a large sum and Tara whistled, “Wow, that much?” 
“Well it is for a week.” 
“Sounds havey-cavey to me.  Just where is his wife?”  Tara had turned down more than one assignment in which men wanted her to be the third person in a ménage a trois where she would be the identical twin of the wife or girlfriend.  She wanted no part of such disgusting schemes.  When it wasn’t something sexual, the potential clients wanted her to take on illegal assignments, hoping she wasn’t well-versed in the new laws.  She’d disabused them of those notions as quickly as she could and sent them packing.  That had only left the more scarce jobs of mimicking shy girls who wanted to brush off their abusive and jerky boyfriends or their anal bosses.  It didn’t pay much, but it had pulled her through up until now.  She fully expected this high-paying job to be one she couldn’t accept.  Although she had to admit, she was sorely tempted. 
Coltech shrugged, “I don’t know where his wife is, but he said he will come back around five when you are available, to talk with you about it in more detail.” 
:”Why didn’t you wake me?” Tara pushed herself to a standing position and brushed irritably past Coltech.  “You know how important it is for us to have clients.  I’ve told you again and again.” 
Coltech’s wide eyes filled with tears and he twisted the end of his shirt.  “I’m sorry, Tara.  I thought I should let you sleep.  You know how I worry.  I thought your health was more important.  I didn’t want you to get sick and—“ 
“Ok, ok!” She did not feel like getting him started.  Coltech was way too emotional and Tara was still too tired to face it.  “When is he returning?” 
Coltech dried his tears with his shirt and grinned.  At least his bad moods didn’t last.  “He’ll be back at five like I told you.” 
“Don’t be smart,” she snapped.  “I’m hungry.” 
Coltech bounced, “I have some kootoo for you.  Wait just a second.” 
Tara rubbed her temples.  Coltech was very useful in finding innovative ways to recreate their native foods, but his over-enthusiasm sometimes grated on her nerves.  She sighed and shuffled off to the bathroom for a shower.  Maybe she’d have a better attitude herself after she made some money and the worry stopped weighing her down.  It was obvious she and Coltech reacted to pressure differently.  She laughed softly as she turned on the tap.  Coltech descended into little more than a whimpering puppy and she resorted to…well she’d been called some pretty nasty words lately and it wasn’t originating from the humans alone. 
 
Cole Stevens stood as arrogant as they came, his feet planted solidly apart and coldly assessing Tara just as Mrs. Jessup had done earlier.  Again, Tara felt she’d been found wanting.  She longed to tell him what he could kiss, but resisted.  She’d at least hear him out and had insisted Coltech stay in the room to help her smooth the rough spots. 
“Just what is it you want me to do, Mr. Stevens?” 
“You’d better call me Cole, to get in the habit of it now.” 
She gave him a cold look of her own, “I have not accepted the job yet.  I am still deciding and need more information.” 
“But you will.”  He looked dispassionately around the tiny office, taking in the walls in need of a paint job and the old worn out furniture.  “From the looks of things, you need the money.” 
She frowned, “I do not have to sit here and be insulted, sir.” 
“Calm down,” he growled.  “I was making a simple statement of truth.  I understood you people appreciate plain-speaking.” 
Bastard! 
Before she could say anything out loud, Coltech spoke up.  “Mr. Stevens, would you like a cup of tea or coffee?  I know just how to make it like humans like it.” 
Tara smothered a laugh.  In his innocent way, Coltech had been just as patronizing as Stevens had been a moment before, assuming all humans were exactly alike.  Stevens got the point and apologized. 
“I’m sorry if I have offended you,” he told Tara.  “I think we can help each other.” 
She nodded, “I simply need to be reassured that you aren’t asking me to do anything illegal.  I do know the law.” 
“Yes, as do I.  I made sure of it before I came.” 
What did that mean? 
“And all I’m asking you to do is pretend to be my wife while I am on a business trip on John's Island, for one week.” 
“John's?  I’ve never heard of it,” she frowned. 
“It’s a private island, owned by a potential business partner.  The man who owns it is very family-oriented.  He expects me to show up with my wife.  Unfortunately, she has chosen this crucial time to walk out on me with her lover.  I could not jeopardize the deal to battle it out with her.  It’s as simple as that.” 
“I’ve only been here five years, Mr. Stevens, but I’ve learned that nothing is as simple as that,” she told him. 
“Have we a deal?” he said impatiently. 
She wanted to tell him to get out.  He didn’t even seem to be hurt that his wife had left him.  It was all about the business, the money.  Well, she guessed that was what made this world go around.  She might as well accept it and get some of the worry off her mind.  Maybe she could even afford a small vacation to Florida as Coltech had been begging for for some time now. 
“Ok, Mr. Stevens.  Cole.  We have a deal.” 
He stood, straightening his tie which hadn’t been out of place.  “Great.  I will send someone to pick you up at your apartment tomorrow.  Eight in the morning.  Please be ready.” 
He started for the door, but turned back.  “Oh and Ms. Barnes.” 
“Yes?” 
“There’s no need to bring anything.” His eyes flicked over her well-worn clothing.  “I will supply the wardrobe.  Nothing you have will be up to par.” 
Bastard! 
 
Chapter Two 
 
As promised, Cole’s driver arrived sharply at eight in the morning.  And just as was Tara’s habit, she was late.  In fact, she was still lounging in her bed, covering her wild hair with a pillow to drown out Coltech’s wail to get up.  The insistent horn-blowing finally penetrated her brain fog and Tara rolled off the bed to hit the floor. 
“Ouch!” 
“Tara!” Coltech was his usual half worried, half terrified self.  “Are you ok?  He’ll leave and we’ll be broke again.  Get up.” 
She grunted in answer. 
“Tara?” 
“Ok, ok, Coltech.  Damn, you’re like an old house man.” 
Coltech whined, “I’m trying to get you ready.  You said I should help you this morning.”  His lower lip quivered.  “This is hard enough.  I haven’t been alone before.” 
Tara blew out an exasperated breath and stood to be dressed.  Of course she’d forgotten.  Coltech hadn’t been alone before.  He’d been with her since her fourteenth year, a present from her mother.  Before that, he’d lived in a family of eighteen children.  Coltech knew nothing of being by himself. 
“I’m sorry, Coltech.  I know you’re worried and afraid.  Maybe I should send you to stay with Latieek.” 
Coltech screeched.  “No, no!  Please Tara.  Not Latieek.  She…she…” 
He trailed off, but Tara knew.  She had no intention of sending him there.  She’d only wanted to scare him into behaving.  Tara didn’t trust Latieek not to abuse Coltech.  Latieek liked to misuse her assistants and Tara would not subject Coltech to that kind of treatment. 
“Ok, then Coltech.  Behave.  I will be gone one week.  You already know how to run the apartment.  And I’ve taken care of all of the bills with the money Mr. Stevens paid me up front.” 
With a sniffle, Coltech nodded.  He fastened the last button on Tara’s dress and pulled a comb through her long black locks.  “I’ll still miss you.” 
“I know.  I’ll miss you too.  But don’t worry.  Everything will be fine.  Remember it’s a cut and dried job,” she assured him. 
“Yes, but what if you get hurt?  Who will heal you?” 
“Why should I get hurt?  It’s an island for goodness sake.” 
A puppy-like whine was his response. 
 
The man sent to pick Tara up drove a limousine.  For the first time in her life Tara felt important, riding in style.  She resisted the temptation to ask the driver to swing around the corner to pass Latieek’s house.  She wanted to shove it in Latieek’s face that she, Tara, had done something her neighbor hadn’t done.  Latieek was always bragging about her human lovers and how they bought her many gifts.  Tara had not been inclined to take a human into her bed.  Certainly she had no wish to allow one to think himself superior to her.  But she was decidedly jealous of the gifts, especially the clothes. 
Tara loved clothes, though she could not afford to buy news ones very often.  Shifts had not worn clothes on her world.  There had not been any need of them.  In intimate places of their anatomy, Shifts thickened their skin at will and formed a sort of covering.  The warm, year round climate had been conducive to this way of life.  And while many shifts still complained of the necessity of wearing human clothes to cover themselves, Tara loved it.  The colors, the fabrics.  They were wonderful. 
The drive ended at the airport on a private air strip.  Before the car came to a complete stop, her door was wrenched open and Tara was pulled from the car. 
“What the hell?” she groused. 
“Why are you not changed?” Cole demanded. 
Tara placed her hands on her hips as she’d seen the more feisty human women do, “Because you didn’t specify that I needed to right away.”  She’d long since given up trying to emulate rolling her eyes as her large orbs did not cooperate with the tricky movement.  Instead she gave him a cold look while blinking in a sort of slow motion. 
Cole Stevens frowned awfully, distorting his rugged good looks.  “Come with me.”   
He jerked a suitcase from the trunk the driver had popped open a second ago and yanked Tara by the arm toward a small building a few feet away.  She took exception and pulled herself free. 
“You will not manhandle me.”  She told him firmly. 
He turned a frigid gaze upon her, “Let’s get one thing clear.  I make the rules.  I paid for you.  I tell you what to do.  And I said, let’s go.”  Cole didn’t wait for Tara to comply, he started again for the small building. 
She was left glaring hatefully at his back and came swiftly to a decision.  She’d already spent most of the money he’d given her.  She couldn’t go back on the deal now.  But she wasn’t going to be treated like an inferior.  She’d do whatever it took to make sure Cole Stevens was put in his place. 
 
Tara sat like a statue in her seat on the plane.  The constant rocking and occasional drop when the plane hit turbulence was frightening her more than she’d expected. 
“Calm down,” Cole commanded.  “We need to discuss details.  What the hell’s wrong with your face?” 
Tara could only imagine the shifting form of her face, varied ripples over the surface like a pebble breaking the smoothness of pond.  She sucked in several calming breaths, though they did little to settle her nerves. 
“I’ve never gotten used to flying.  I can’t seem to calm my mind.  It has to be calm to maintain my form.” 
Cole was unsympathetic, “Well you’d better try harder, because if I feel like you didn’t give this your best shot…if you blow this…”  He couldn’t find the right threatening words. 
Tara wondered what she’d gotten herself into.  The man seemed barely able to control his anger.  She wasn’t especially afraid of him.  She had more than her fair share of confidence, even without fighting abilities. 
“As I said, I will do my best.  I have an excellent memory.  Just tell me all of the facts.”  She closed her eyes and took another deep breath.  “And you can kiss my ass if you think your threats mean anything to me.” 
Her eyes still closed, she heard no response from him and leaned back in her chair. 
After a few moments, she heard grudging respect in his voice, “Does nothing frighten you?” 
“Flying,” she said simply. 
“Ah.” 
From that tenuous understanding, Cole attempted to treat Tara more courteously and she attempted to behave as the carefree and spoiled rich wife he desired.  She was not confident about the success of this mission, but she would work hard to pull it off.  She needed the money.  At worse, she hoped those around her who knew Mrs. Stevens would think she was just having an off week.  People had them. 
Cole expected to meet his partner on the island that evening.  He’d had some last minute business to take care of and was taking a later flight.  It was important, Cole informed her, that his partner not guess she wasn’t his real wife. 
“He is very perceptive.  He’d sniff out a fake in a heartbeat,” he told her. 
“Then why didn’t you just bring him in on the secret?” 
For a moment he didn’t answer and Tara figured he thought it was none of her business.  “Andy has a soft spot for Gina.  A million years ago, when we were teenagers, we both had crushes on her.  We fought over who’d get her constantly.” 
Tara glowered.  The idea that they’d treated this woman as if she were their property to pass between them revolted her. 
He laughed, knowing her thoughts.  “Isn’t that what you Shift women do over your men?” 
“No.  We choose and that’s it.  No fighting.” 
“Ah.  Yes, that’s different.” 
“Whatever.”  She turned away angrily. 
“Shall I continue?” 
“I guess.” 
Cole picked up his story.  “Needless to say, I won the prize.”  He paused again to allow for her indignation at the term “prize” used for a woman, but Tara didn’t give him the satisfaction. 
“I think that at some point, Andy loved her, when she was unspoiled by money and idle living.  She was sweet and innocent, full of the joy of life.” 
Tara heard wistfulness in his voice and thought he must be hiding his pain at his wife walking out on him.  He could not be unaffected.  No human could.  “So your friend Andy didn’t find his own girl?” 
“There were women in his life.  How could there not be?  Andy is a decent looking guy, I’ve heard.  Gina told me frequently how much hotter he is than I am.  Her words, not mine.” 
“And you say we’re plain-speaking?” 
He shrugged, “It was only after she stopped loving me, after she changed. 
“So, Andy shouldn’t know about me because he still loves her?  Will it hurt him that she’s gone?” 
“Yes.  It’s better this way for now.” 
Cole didn’t strike Tara as the compassionate type even for his friend and partner.  In fact, she found it hard to imagine the rigid, perfectly dressed man at her side as a carefree teenager.  Since it was impossible otherwise for him to be a man, she took his word for it concerning his and his friend’s history.  It was none of her business after all. 
 
Following behind the young maid, Tara headed toward a grand staircase dominating the lobby area.  The opulence amazed and excited her.  She’d never experienced such luxury and impatiently anticipated seeing the room she’d been assigned.  She hoped it had an ocean view.  Judging by the scenery on their flight in, the island was incredibly beautiful with white sand beaches and clear aqua water. 
“If only Coltech could see this,” she muttered. 
“Maam?” 
She shook her head quickly to the maid and followed silently.  She’d have to be more careful.  She didn’t want to blow her cover.  This “job” was like a vacation and she was going to enjoy every minute of it. 
Tara’s room was not a disappointment by any stretch.  A queen-sized canopy bed was situated in the middle of one wall, with matching real oak dresser and vanity on two others.  What drew and held her attention was the wall-to-wall walk-in closet on the fourth wall.  Tara stared in awe at the small department store of clothes—all dresses, she noted.  And shoes, endless rows of them. 
“There’s absolutely no way I could wear all this,” she breathed. 
“You can never make up your mind, so I had everything brought down, with a couple of new things thrown in,” Cole grinned, a warm look in his eyes. 
Confused, Tara stared mutely at him.  What had gotten into him? 
He flicked a glance briefly at the maid and Tara finally got the picture.  Maybe it was the jet lag that was making her thickheaded.  She smiled brightly, “Yes, darling.  You’re so right.  Well, I suppose if none of this pleases me, I’ll just go to a local boutique.” 
He frowned, “I’m sure you’ll do just that.” 
The maid exited the room and shut the door behind her.  Tara flopped down on the bed and erased the loving smile she’d been displaying.  “Whew I almost blew it.  I must be tired.” 
“Be sure you get it right before the others arrive.  I don’t have time to keep covering you.”  The warm love was gone from Cole’s voice. 
Tara was not moved, “Why are there only dresses in the closet?” 
Cole looked down coldly on her, “I do not like my woman in pants.  Gina…you…understand that.  I expect you to only wear dresses.  After you go shopping, I will be inspecting your bags when you return.” 
“The hell you will.”  She stood and moved to the closet to sift through the dresses.  They were all stylish.  She would thoroughly enjoy trying each and every one on when this idiot left her alone. 
“Perhaps I have not made myself clear about my expectations—“ 
Tara cut him off, “From what I can gather, Gina was not perfectly obedient to you, though I don’t even understand why you would expect such a thing in this modern time.  I’ve studied your history here.” 
He continued as if she hadn’t spoken.  “I expect you to obey me and defer to me in all things.  You will tell me where you are going.  You will be accessible by this cell phone.”  He tossed it to her.  “And if I do not like what you’re wearing or going at any time, you will make adjustments.  Is that clear?” 
“I see why she left you.” 
Suddenly he enclosed her arm in an iron grip and slung her around to face him.  “You will not jeopardize my plans.  You will obey me.” 
Tara’s eyes rippled.  She felt it.  He pulled back from her. 
“What is wrong?  You said it was only the plane.” 
“My emotions,” she snapped. 
“You don’t have to be afraid of me, if you—“ 
“I’m not afraid of you!”  She yanked her arm free.  “I was angry.  You think you can threaten me and I’ll cow before you.  Did you do that to Gina?  Is that why she left?” 
Cole approached her again, but she held her ground. 
“Let me get something straight with you, Mr. Stevens.”  She placed a hand on either hip.  “You need me as much as I need you.  And it will be good for your plans if you do not get me too upset.  Is that clear?” 
He stood stupidly before her for several seconds.  Tara tried not to laugh in his face.  Something told her his anger problem would not withstand it. 
At last he spoke, “Fine.  You will do as I comm…ask.  And I will try not to anger you.  Deal?” 
“Deal.” 
“Good.”  He turned toward a door next to her vanity and pulled it toward him to reveal a bathroom beyond.  “Now, may I suggest the yellow sleeveless, third from the left?” 
Tara chuckled, “You may suggest it.  Sure.” 
He grunted, “We’ll have a late night tonight and—“ 
“No.” 
She saw his brows furrow and rushed on before his temper resurfaced. 
“I cannot stay up late tonight.” 
“May I ask why?” 
She sighed, “For someone who claims to be so on top of everything, you do not know my people well.  I can’t hold a form for more than six hours.  The flight over here took three and a half.” 
He turned back from the bathroom, “Damn!  I had forgotten that.” 
“Well, surprise, this is me.  I need at least three hours sleep to get me through dinner tonight, but then I must have a full night.  I will not risk my health for you or your money.” 
She knew she’d angered him again, but didn’t care. 
“Fine.  I will say you are suffering a migraine from the trip over and have to retire early.  However, I expect a better performance tomorrow.” 
“Your wish is my command, sire.”  She bowed before him and he stomped from the room through her bathroom. 
She wondered at that and knocked lightly on the closed door.  She listened at the panel and heard nothing.  Finally, she opened the door to find the bathroom empty.  Across the expansive space, was another door, opposite hers.  An uneasy feeling told her this other door led to his room.  
“No wonder no one thought it was strange that we weren’t sleeping in the same room.  They’re connected.”  Tara inspected his door and found a lock on the inside.  Good.  No surprises while she was in the shower.  She looked and found a similar lock on the inside of her room.  And no midnight visits from my “husband” either! 
 
Tara thrashed at her covers, struggling against their hold.  She cried out against the hands grabbing for her.  “No, don’t.” 
The hands were insistent, gripping her cruelly and shaking her.  She fought hard, but her blows only glanced off her assailant.  Someday she must learn to defend herself.  Not being able to fight would get her hurt some day—maybe today.  She fought harder, scratching at the man holding her prisoner. 
“Tara.  Stop it.  Wake up!” 
She recognized the voice, angry and threatening.  She wouldn’t stop trying to free herself.  She didn’t trust him.  Suddenly her knee made impact with his groin.  He yelped and fell weakly on top of her, his heavy male frame trapping her beneath him. 
“Dammit, woman!  Wake the hell up!” 
Tara’s eyes fluttered open, not adjusting to the dark in her room.  She couldn’t see a thing.  She twisted her head in the direction she knew the window to be, but the moon must be hidden because she still saw no light.  A shiver went through her and she tried to sit up, but found something was pinning her to the bed. 
“Wha--?” 
“If you’ll wait a moment, I’ll have the strength to lift myself after you kneed me in the nuts!  Cole’s voice was tight and pained. 
“I’m sorry.”  She shoved at him lightly.  His weight held.  “Can’t you get up now?” 
“No.”   
Tara felt his breath warm against her cheek.  Was this a trick?  She did remember kneeing him and hearing his cry of pain, but did it really hurt that much?  She had no idea.  No male had allowed her to test out the level of pain in their private area.  Coltech would not have felt it had she done that to him.  Tara considered telling Cole this, but thought he wouldn’t appreciate the comparison. 
“Now?” 
He moved an arm and Tara felt his chest brush against her bare breast.  She gasped, surprised when her nipple hardened.  She didn’t sleep in clothes, so she was glad the covers separated their bodies.  This situation was a little too intimate for her taste.  She had no interest in Cole, and hoped he’d get his strength quickly. 
He shifted his weight above her and she took the opportunity to try to wiggle free.  Her soft curves brushed against his hard frame, causing him to exclaim again.  Tara didn’t think it sounded like pain this time. 
“Oh boy.” 
“Oh boy is right,” he ground out.  “Stay still and let me do the moving.” 
Tara froze.  She wanted to shove hard and make him fall on the floor to get him moving, but that would be too rude.  Still he shouldn’t have been in her room while she slept.  Female Shifts slept deeply to regenerate and couldn’t be responsible their actions while unconscious.  It was why they bonded so well with the males.  Coltech would know how to wake her and protect her while she slept.  She felt a bit of loneliness at being separated from him. 
Again Cole moved, this time his breath warming her lips.  His mouth must be just inches from her own, she judged.  The next instant she was wondering what it would be like to kiss a human male.  How would he taste? 
She shook her head to clear it of these insane thoughts.  She was not attracted to Cole.  He was cold and heartless, not her type of person at all.  Besides that she didn’t want a human.  Her needs were satisfied just fine already.  And yet, that brush of her breast had sent shivers of desire coursing through her veins.  It confused her.  She was sure she’d never thought of Cole in this way.  In fact, she’d felt attraction to the man a few days ago, just looking at him.  And now here she was feeling it again at a touch.  Perhaps she was getting sick. 
“I’m better now,” he announced. 
“Then you should get up,” she whispered weakly. 
He didn’t move. 
Tara tried to beat down her curiosity.  It wouldn’t be quieted.  “What is it like to kiss a human male?” 
“I haven’t tried it.” 
She frowned in the darkness.  “Don’t be stupid.  You know what I mean.” 
He chuckled.  Tara didn’t know he could.   
“Shall I show you?” 
“Yes.”  She swallowed nervously.  “For experimental purposes, of course.” 
“Of course.” 
She didn’t see his head lower, but felt the soft flesh connect with her lips in an explosion of sensation.  Cole kept the kiss light and exploratory, their lips lightly sucking on one another for a moment.  And then he broke it off to Tara’s disappointment. 
“That…that was interesting.” 
“Only interesting?”  Cole was clearly annoyed.  “Then I better try again. 
Tara was about to protest when he kissed her again, more insistent.  His tongue slid between Tara’s lips and into her mouth.  She gasped.  Could that be right?  But she liked it and wanted to see what else kissing him entailed. 
He pressed his mouth firmly against her, parting her lips further.  His tongue danced along the warm wetness of her mouth, tangling with her own tongue.  And then he pulled back. 
“No,” she protested. 
He chuckled again, “I only paused to instruct you.  Twirl your tongue with mine.  Do what I do.” 
She nodded though she figured he couldn’t see her.  He came down again and Tara lost herself a few moments in the kiss.  This was a sensation she’d never experienced.  Did all human males kiss this way?  Did Drew?  She wanted to know.  She wanted to taste and explore.  Unbidden, a tiny moan of pleasure escaped her lips and her hands rose to grip the back of his head.  Her fingers tangled in his hair while she pushed her tongue into his mouth, tasting him as he tasted her. 
And then Cole broke the kiss and rolled off of her to sit on the side of the bed.  He behaved as if Tara had just burned him and she wondered if something inside her had. 
“Did I hurt you?” she ventured. 
“Hurt me?”  He stood.  “Of course not.  I just thought it was going further than I had intended. 
She sat up, dragging the covers around her.  “Just what did you intend?” 
Moonlight began to invade the room, so that Tara could now see Cole moving toward the bathroom door.  He didn’t answer her question. 
“I allowed you to sleep for four hours since Andy was late getting in and John, the man who owns this island, was finishing some other business.  So you should be rested enough to get through dinner.” 
“Well I—”  She was talking to an empty room.  He’d disappeared through the door and she was alone. 
 
 
Gina bypassed the yellow sleeveless and opted instead for a short lavender dress with flowered print, flounced hem and spaghetti straps.  Stopping at mid-thigh, the dress clung to her curves like a second skin and Gina thrilled at the smooth feel of the material.  She completed her carefree ensemble with low-heeled sandals and left her room hoping she gave an air of the much sought after, Gina Stevens. 
Her heels clicked on the polished stairs, signaling Cole of her descent as he stood not three feet away from the bottom.  Gina smothered the smile she felt seeing his frown of disapproval.  Of course he wasn’t happy that she’d disobeyed his order.  But she didn’t care.  No man would boss her around, even the enigmatic and excellent kisser, Cole Stevens.  A shiver ran through her body and Gina resisted that too.  She needed to keep her mind on pulling off this dinner, unrevealed.  If Andy was as perceptive and in love as Cole indicated, she had her work cut out for her. 
Standing at Cole’s side was a man Gina didn’t recognize.  He was older, maybe fifty, she guessed, and completely self-assured.  This must be the owner, John.  The man to impress.  Gina noted this supposed family man had his eyes planted on her bouncing breasts as she stepped down the stairs, a look that moved sensuously down her body to linger on her exposed legs.  She suddenly felt naked before him and stumbled on the last step.   
Cole moved quickly and caught her as she stumbled into his arms.  He bent his head down toward her, an unreadable expression in his eyes.  “I have you, darling.”  He pressed briefly at her lips, leaving her breathless. 
Ok, that can’t happen too often, she told herself.  I’m not, I repeat, not interested in human males! 
Swift introductions were made, Gina being reminded that she had met this paragon previously at a dinner party in New York.  Since this Gina had never been on the east coast of the United States, she stuck with a few murmured comments, fluttering her lashes inexpertly.  The look of approval on Cole’s face told her she was doing well. 
“Gina,” it’s so good to see you again.”  John kissed her hand.  “You look as lovely now as you did then.” 
“Thank you,” she breathed sweetly.  “I try.” 
Laughter erupted from John’s throat, causing his adam’s apple to bounce.  “I bet you do.  I just bet you do.” 
Gina was turned off by this man.  He was at least as tall as Cole, probably six foot three, with hard tanned skin as if he had spent his life outdoors.  His salt and pepper hair was in perfect order and the tailored suit he wore screamed money. 
Another woman strolled into the hallway where they stood and pouted prettily at John and Cole.  She was small and delicate-looking and her green eyes flashed briefly at Gina, letting her know she had competition for the men’s attention. 
“John.  Cole.  Why are you in the hallway?  Come into the drawing room for a drink.”  She hooked an arm through John’s and reached for Cole.  She completely ignored Gina. 
“Now, baby.  Don’t be rude.”  John scolded her gently.  “Claudia.  Meet Cole’s wife, Gina.” 
Don’t do me any favors, Gina thought bitterly. 
“Hello.” The green eyes didn’t meet hers again. 
Gina allowed herself a cold nod in the woman’s direction.  The next instant she felt Cole behind her, his breath warming her neck.  “Now, now.  Put the claws away.” 
She ignored him. 
A bell sounded somewhere nearby and Gina heard voices around a bend at the end of the hall. 
“Oh that will be our missing partner in crime, coming at last,” John joked. 
The man’s voice drew closer and Gina thought she recognized the tones, but couldn’t place him just yet. 
Again she felt Cole behind her as he whispered, “Oh I forgot to tell you.  You don’t call Andy by that name.  You call him—“ 
Just then the man rounded the corner and Gina’s eyes widened.  “Drew!” 
She must have cried out his name an instant after Cole told her what his wife called him, at least she hoped she did.  Yet, it was such a boon to see a familiar face in this situation, Gina forgot herself, rushed forward and threw herself into his arms. 
Drew burst out laughing and engulfed her in a bear hug before swinging her around in a circle.  “Would you look at what the cat dragged in!” he exclaimed. 
Gina, remembering where she was and what she was about, was now squirming in his arms and dragging at her dress which had slid higher in all the swinging.  Drew set her down gently, but didn’t let her go. 
“How long has it been?” His eyes still twinkled. 
A few days. 
“Three months, now stop the dramatics.”  Cole pulled Gina from his friend’s arms and curved her into his. 
Drew laughed, “Jealous.” 
“Now that we’re all here, can we go in to have a drink?” Claudia was pouting again.  Gina wondered if it was the only expression she had.  Yet it seemed to be effective on the men and she told herself she’d test her ability to do it later in her room.  Practicing expressions would be good for her business success. 
Claudia latched on to Cole and Drew, leaving Gina standing alone.  John held out his arm solicitously, a lecherous grin covering his weathered skin. 
Having no choice, Gina smiled brightly, as if it was the most wonderful of solutions and allowed him to lead her into the drawing room.  She began to wonder what this little vacation would really entail.  She guessed she’d find out soon enough. 
Chapter Three 
 
The next morning, Tara felt more herself or rather more rested.  She would not transform to Gina until later in the day so that she would not use up too much energy.  She planned to speak with Cole again about his schedule that week so that she’d know how to time her appearances and when she could take rests in preparation for the evenings. 
Eventually she made the decision to go down to lunch.  The caffeine–free tea and buttered toast she’d had for breakfast was not satisfying her appetite.  A brief appearance in the dining room shouldn’t be too much of a strain.  She’d already knocked on Cole’s bathroom door and gotten no answer.  She’d have to catch up with him later. 
The house was big, but simply laid out.  Gina knew she needed only descend the stairs and make a left, then another left to reach the dining room.  John had informed her that lunch, for anyone who showed up for it, would be served between noon and two pm.  It must be nice to have food that could potentially go to waste like that, she thought. 
Claudia was the only one present when she entered, looking fresh as a daisy in her perfectly white, nearly transparent pantsuit. 
“Gina.” 
“Claudia.” 
Gina was not used to clashing with other women over men, and it seemed absurd that she should do so now, given both of them were apparently married.  She guessed it wasn’t enough for this woman, no older than twenty-five, to be married to one of the richest men in the world.  She wanted a few young ones thrown in for good measure. 
Gina moved to the server and helped herself to the makings of a cold cut sub, without the meat.  She gave herself plenty of cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo and nabbed a particularly large piece of sub roll to build her sandwich on.  She was really hungry and her growling stomach would not be denied much longer. 
Claudia sneered, “No wonder you’re so big, eating like that.” 
“What?” Gina glared.  “I’ll have you know, I am not big.  I’m a perfect size ten.” 
Claudia tittered, “As I said, big.”  She slid one elegant hand down over her side, her thick lashes half covering challenging eyes.  “I’m a perfect size four.” 
“Woopty-doo,” Gina grunted.  She took a large bite into her sandwich, wiping a glob of mayo off the side of her mouth. 
“Now there’s a woman who knows how to eat” Drew bellowed on entering the room. 
Gina jumped and swallowed a large chunk, hurting her throat.  Her eyes watered and she took a quick sip of iced tea.  “Hello, Drew.” 
He leaned down behind her chair, laughing teasingly into her ear, “And how are you, Ms. Gina?  Wearing that dress so well.” 
Gina blushed and stared at her plate.  She couldn’t get angry with him.  He was just as he had been the day she met him, teasing and lighthearted.  She felt the attraction now that she felt then.  How would Gina respond, she wondered. 
“I do look good in it, don’t I?” She ran a hand suggestively down over her form, copying Claudia of a moment ago. 
His blue eyes darkened, desire apparent.  “No doubt.” 
They stared at each other for several moments.  Gina wondered if she was getting in too deep.  She should not be leading on the friend of her husband.  She had no real intention of getting involved with him and wondered briefly if there had been anything between them before the split. 
Drew broke eye contact first.  He turned to greet Claudia who was decidedly green at having been forgotten for so long.  She made up for it by flirting heavily with Drew, commanding his attention for the next twenty minutes. 
Gina didn’t mind.  She was studying Drew.  She watched his lips as he spoke to Claudia.  They were not unlike Cole’s, firm yet soft-looking.  The lower thicker and sensuous.  She wondered if he kissed just as well.  At one point he caught her watching and winked before returning to his conversation.  He was so lighthearted, so unlike Cole. 
Damn!  Now look at her.  She was comparing him to Cole.  That kiss last night must have screwed up her thinking more than she thought.  She wondered if there was some kind of pheromone that human males gave off making the female more susceptible to him.  Surely she wouldn’t be affected by it?   
“What are you frowning about?” 
“Hmm?” She glanced up into Drew’s playful eyes.  There was definitely something in the eyes, she knew that!  “I was just wondering what I wanted to do this afternoon,” she lied. 
Drew stood.  “Oh, I already know what you’re doing.” 
“What?” 
“Going to the beach with me.” 
“What?  I—“ 
“No arguments now.  This is fun time.”  Drew came around the table and took one of her hands in his. 
“But Cole…” 
Drew shook his head.  “Forget your stuffy husband.  All he thinks about is business anyway.  Probably off meeting with someone about something, neglecting his poor sweet wife.” 
Gina didn’t feel like a poor sweet anything, but she did love the water.  She made a swift decision.  “Ok, I’m in.” 
“Good, now go get your swimsuit and I’ll meet you out front.” 
Gina scurried up to her room hoping Cole had thought to supply her with swimwear.  She threw open the drawers of her bureau and rifled through everything.  She couldn’t find a suit.  “Oh, boy.  Now what?” 
A moment later, a maid stepped into her room after a tiny knock and moved unobtrusively to the messy bureau.  Gina watched her silently as she straightened things and finally produced a brightly-colored bikini.  She placed it in Gina’s hands and exited as quietly as she’d come. 
Damn!  She glanced around the room looking for hidden cameras, under a flowerpot for listening devices.  Finding nothing, she figured Drew had sent the maid and then changed her clothes quickly. 
She felt excitement bubbling inside her.  Being so poor for so long, so unwanted in society had taken its toll, even for her stubborn will.  It was nice to just kick back and let someone else worry about money.  She’d swim forever, well, that is until she had to come in for a rest before dinner.  She had every intention of staying up late tonight.   
Gina sighed.  It was such a drag having to worry about keeping a form.  That was one of the reasons she normally stayed in a natural state unless she was on a job.  Natural form was nothing to be ashamed of. 
The sun was gloriously hot, beating down on Gina’s arms.  She enjoyed the warmth as it seeped into her skin.  She laughed a little remembering the ignorant fool who’d asked her once if she was afraid of melting in the sun.  She’d informed him rudely that she was not made of plastic.  Ignorance! 
“What are you laughing at?” Drew was impossibly handsome in a pair of swim trunks and nothing else.  She’d teased him about bringing a t-shirt and shoes or something.  What was the point, he’s said, obviously comfortable in his skin. 
“Nothing.  Just thinking of how beautiful the day is,” She told him. 
He frowned, hopping over a small enclave in the sand.  “That’s odd.  You never noticed the beauty in the day before.” 
Gina froze and rushed to improvise.  “How could I not on this island?  Besides, you haven’t seen me in a while.  People can change.” 
He laughed, “Not you.” 
“I used to be different.” 
He walked quietly for a moment.  “Touché.” 
Gina’s glimpse of the sea was breathtaking.  She dropped her bag, flung away her sunglasses and kicked off her sandals, before running full tilt into the waves.  She laughed happily splashing and moving deeper into the water. 
“Gina, hold on,” Drew called.  “You know you can’t swim.” 
“What?”  Gina was angry.  Not another restriction.  This was ridiculous.  She would not be out here and not be allowed to swim.  It was too much.  “I can too swim!” 
He laughed, running to join her.  “Just kidding.” 
Gina felt doubtful of his kidding.  He’d sounded serious or maybe spiteful.  Soon she dismissed the thought in favor of splashing him while he was trying to get used to the cool temperature.  She’d been able to adjust her body temperature right away. 
“Ah!  I’m going to get you for that.”  Drew lunged for her but she backpedaled quickly, further away from shore.   
“Can’t catch me, Drew.”  Gina laughed happily and dove beneath the waves.  The rush of water past her ears was a soft drumming as she swam deep and fast.  There was no worry in her mind that he would catch her.  She was as strong a swimmer as she was a runner.  Unfortunately, just as she was merely a sprinter in running, her swimming was fast only in short bursts. 
When her energy waned after she’d gone quite deep, watching the colorful tropical fish around her, she headed back to the surface.  Allowing only her mouth to come up above water level to suck in air, she dipped below again and swam leisurely back toward shore.  It would not do to let him see how far out she’d swam in just a few seconds. 
“Gina!” Drew hauled her bodily from the water.  “You were under so long, I was terrified you’d drowned.” 
Drew enclosed his arms around her and drew her against his hard body.  Gina was about to tell him there had been no need for his worry, but thought better of it.  This might be a good time to experiment.  She did her best imitation of the pout she’d seen Claudia perform and forced herself to tremble. 
“I’m sorry.  I guess I did overdo it.” 
Drew shushed her and rubbed her arms, “There now.  It’s ok.” 
She looked up at him, surprising a look of amusement in his eyes.  It was gone in a second to be replaced by concern and then desire.  Gina stood dumbly staring up at him, wondering if he’d kiss her.  She had no idea what to do next, to make him want her more. 
She didn’t have to do anything.  Drew lowered his head and touched her lightly against the lips.  Instantly the kiss deepened and Gina was receiving her second kiss from a human. 
Having learned the night before, she knew what to do.  Gina parted her lips to allow his tongue access to her mouth.  As soon as his tongue entered, she entwined his with hers, sucking lightly. 
A groan of greedy longing rose in his throat and Gina thrilled at making this man want her, crave her.  Still experimenting, she pressed herself closer, feeling his hardness against her stomach.  She let her hand slide along his damp thigh and around to his buttocks to pull him closer. 
“Gina.  Oh my…Gina,” he moaned. 
Finally, she pulled from his arms and stepped back.  Her breathing was heavy from the experience.  It had been pleasure, but she didn’t feel like she’d lost control at all.  Not like last night.  She wondered if it was because she wasn’t in her true form. 
Gina recovered first, “Do you want to swim again?” 
He stared hard at her.  She ducked her head and turned back to the water.  He stopped her.  “No, wait.  Let’s sit down on the sand awhile.” 
“Ok.” 
Gina wondered if she’d gone too far.  Had she blown her cover?  The way he’d looked at her before made her think he could see right inside her, know she was a fake.  And playing with his emotions hadn’t been a good idea either.  She knew humans were the more sensitive of the two dominant species on the planet.  She was not the type of person to hurt people on purpose.  Yet, she had to question if Drew’s feelings for her were love and not simply lust.  She didn’t know him well enough to make the distinction. 
Drew pulled her down to his side in the sand.  He took one of her hands into his and held it in an intimate clasp.  “I wanted to tell you, Gina…” 
“Hold on.”  She tried pulling away, but he held on.  “Look, Drew.  You know me.  I like having fun, teasing?  It doesn’t mean anything.”  She held her breath hoping he’d accept the explanation of her actions. 
He nodded, a despondent look in his eyes, “I know, Gina.  That’s what hurts.” 
She gasped and tried pulling away again, without success. 
“Don’t worry.  I know how to play the game.”  He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly.  “I just worry about you.” 
“About me?  Why?” 
“Because of Cole.  I…” his voice trailed and he sat quiet. 
Curiosity got the better of her.  “You what?  What is it?” 
He seemed to be struggling with a decision.  Finally, he spoke, “The truth is, Gina, I think he’s up to something.” 
Her blood ran cold.  “What?” 
“I know he’s your husband.  For that matter, he’s my friend.  We’ve been through everything together, since we were kids, but…” 
Gina didn’t want to know.  But of course she had to know.  Nothing was ever as simple as it seemed.  Hadn’t she said that before she came?  “What is it?  Just tell me.” 
He sighed heavily, “I’ve overheard some things I don’t think he wanted me to hear.” 
“Like what?” 
Drew shook his head, “No way.  I’m not telling you exactly, that way you can always say you didn’t know anything once the crap hits the fan.” 
“But—“ 
“Listen.” Drew turned toward her and took her shoulders in a painful grip.  “Cole’s up to something, something dangerous and illegal.  I don’t want to see you get hurt.  But I’m down here to see if I can get more information on what he’s up to.  If…when I find out, I’m getting you out.  You have to trust me, Gina.” 
She swallowed, “I…I trust you.” 
“Good.”  His hold loosened and his eyes softened.  “I love you.  I’ve always loved you.” 
“Drew, don’t.” 
“I know.  You picked Cole.  I accepted that, but he’s not who you or I thought he was.  At least, he’s changed.  You have to admit yourself that he’s become colder and more distant.” 
“Yes.”  She did know that.  She hadn’t known him any other way. 
“Anyway, if I’m right…and I know I am…he plans to make his move this week.  I think I can catch him.” 
Gina was alarmed, “If he really is doing something dangerous and illegal, you shouldn’t risk yourself.” 
“I’m doing it for you.” 
Gina shrunk away from him.  His ‘love’ smothered her, putting her off.”  “Drew—“ 
He covered her lips, “No, don’t say anything.  I know.  And if he’s cheating—oh, I didn’t mean to say that.” 
She thought he did and it angered her.  She stood and gathered her things.  “I think it’s time I got back to the house.” 
“Gina, I’m sorry.  I went too far.” 
“Yes, you did.  And so did I.  Let’s keep things on a friendly basis, shall we?”  Gina turned and began walking toward the narrow path that led back to the house.   
Drew called out after her, “Gina.  When you learn the truth, just know that I’m here for you.  I’ll never leave you.  And let’s keep this between us for now.” 
She didn’t answer.  She was angry and disgusted at how Drew handled things.  So he suspected his friend of dirty-dealing, but did he have to use it as an opportunity to smooth his way in to his friend’s wife.  “And I fell right into it,” she muttered.  What the hell had she gotten herself into? 
 
Across the dinner table from Cole, with Drew to her right and John at the head of the table, Gina studied Cole’s stern profile as he conversed with their host.  It was true, Cole wasn’t as handsome as Drew, but he was appealing in his own way.  She’d seen glimpses of a more compassionate nature behind his steel grey eyes when he laughed.  Or had that been passion?  Tremors escaped along her spine, remembering the feel of him on top of her.  His hardness, his kiss. 
“And what do you think, Gina?” John interrupted her thoughts. 
She blinked, “I’m sorry?” 
“He said,” Drew leaned intimately toward her, speaking into her ear.  “He said what do you think we ought to do with the Shifts.” 
Her eyes widened, “Do?”  She glanced at her husband and saw the warning in his eyes.  “What do you mean do?” 
Remember who you are, his look told her. 
Gina tried, “I don’t know.  I don’t know any Shifts personally.  I guess they’re ok.” 
John laughed heartily, “A beautiful woman is always so naïve.” 
Gina’s lips tightened. 
“Don’t you see, dear Gina?  If we let these creatures continue as they are among us, they will take over.  Then where will we be?” 
“Creatures!” she croaked.  Gina felt her face ripple.  She was losing control in her anger. 
Across the table, Cole choked dramatically on his drink, coughing loudly and knocking over his glass.  All eyes turned upon him and Gina knew he’d done it to draw away their attention from her.  She took deep breaths, willing herself to calm.  It wasn’t working.  The jerk hosting this sham of a vacation hated her people and she suddenly felt disgusted that she’d let him anywhere near her. 
Not making much of an excuse, she left the table and exited through the French doors to the patio at the side of the house.  If she didn’t get away, she’d lose all control and revert to her natural form.  Then she thought she might bite him.  He probably thought her kind carried diseases.  That would terrify him.  “Filthy bastard!” 
“Gina!” 
Cole’s voice was reproving, but Gina was in no mood to hear his lectures about blowing their cover.  She picked up her pace and slipped between the trees.  She could distance herself from him with no problem. 
“Gina!  Wait for me!” he commanded. 
That command angered her more, but she stopped and waited for him. 
“What the hell do you want?” She faced him defiantly. 
He stood before her, his face hidden in the shadows of the night.  “He had no right to insult your people that way.  I know him well enough to know he wouldn’t have said such a thing had he known a Shift was present.” 
“And that makes it right?” she demanded.  “He still hates us.” 
“You can’t change how people feel.” 
“No, but I can tell them where to go.” She moved to pass him, but he blocked her. 
“Where do you think you’re going?”  
“I’m going to give him a piece of my mind.” 
“As yourself?” 
“What?” 
He dragged her against him, his face inches from hers, “I suppose you didn’t notice when you changed back?” 
“What?” she said again.  She looked down at her body, more willowy.  “I was angry.” 
“You have a problem with anger.” 
She yanked herself from his grip.  “That’s the pot calling the kettle black.” 
“Be that as it may, you cannot go back in there as you are.  Calm down and change back.” 
“Stop commanding me, dammit!” 
His grip tightened, “Tara, change back now.  This is dangerous.” 
Her eyes widened, suddenly fearful, “Dangerous.” 
He sighed, “I mean for our mission.” 
She put her hands on her hips, “Just what is our mission, Cole?” 
He had the nerve to look confused, “What do you mean?  You know the mission, Tara.” 
“I thought I was Gina, your wife.” 
“I don’t have time for this.  You could be discovered and then my plans will be blown.  Now change back.”  His voice brooked no argument 
“I can’t!” 
“What?” 
“I can’t, Cole.” She sighed.  “It’s been a very long day.  I am tired and angry.  There’s no way I can focus my mind now.” 
“Damn!”  Cole paced a few steps away from her, thinking.  “Ok, here’s what we’ll do.  I’ll—“ 
“Never mind.” She smiled up at him and turned to walk in the opposite direction. 
“Tara!  Tara, get back here.”   
Tara ignored him, figuring he’d catch up in a moment or two.  She wasn’t actually moving that swiftly.  Cole fell in step beside her, still angry judging from the grunts he emitted every few seconds. 
She smiled in the dim light, feeling her anger ebb.  Leave it to this unlikely person to entertain her enough with his arrogance that she was able to calm down.  It was incomprehensible. 
Tara rounded a corner of the house and stood beneath the window she judged as her own.  Cole stopped at her side and glanced up. 
“What?  You’re saying you can walk up the wall?” 
“Don’t be stupid!  Of course not.”  She perused the area around her at the trees nearest to the spot where she stood.  Her large eyes calculated the height of the lowest branch on the nearest tree.  She quickly measured the distance from that limb to the limb on level with her window, then the amount of thrust it would take for her to jump to her window. 
Cole caught on.  “No.  We’ll go with my plan.  What you’re thinking is too risky.” 
She smiled, “But I like risk, Cole.  It’s who I am.”  Before he could protest further, Tara placed her shoes in his hand and shot up four feet to grab onto the lowest branch.  She heard Cole’s intake of breath and hoped he was admiring her jumping ability and not her rear, visible from this angle. 
Quickly, she hoisted herself up to the branch and then stood.  She balanced and walked along to the end trying not to hear Cole quietly calling up commands to be careful.  She leaped across to a closer tree with a higher branch and climbed until she was on level with her window.  The window was closed. 
She called down to Cole, “A little help please?” 
“What’s wrong?” 
“The window is closed, probably locked.” 
“I’ll be up in a few seconds.” 
“I’m not going anywhere.” 
Tara leaned back against the trunk of the tree and crossed her arms to wait.  A cool breeze rustled the leaves and blew her hair in her face.  When she reached up to brush it away, her gaze locked on a bobbing light in the distance. 
“What’s that?”  She leaned toward it and then grasped the tree before she lost her balance.  She squinted, but the light remained unidentified.  “Big old eyes and no distance sight.  What good are you?” she wondered, annoyed. 
“Tara.” Cole was standing in her window. 
She swallowed and avoided looking down.  The distance was further than she had calculated.  She needed to climb higher to allow for the fact that gravity would pull her toward the ground as she moved across the expanse.  “Well, here goes nothing.” 
Tara placed one bare foot back against the trunk and crouched.  Her lithe thigh muscles tensed beneath her cinnamon skin as she prepared herself to take the last leap to the window.  She leaned forward and shoved hard against the tree, aiming herself like a long bullet through the opening.  Within seconds she was through and catapulting into Cole’s open arms.  But the power in her thighs held such force that she and Cole fell backward onto the floor with a loud crash as a lamp was upset and smashed down from the dresser. 
“Mrs. Stevens?”  A maid was suddenly turning the knob of her bedroom door. 
Cole thought quickly rolling over on top of Tara and covering her mouth with his own.  Tara barely had time to process a thought before Cole’s tongue invaded.  Flood gates of desire were thrown wide and she yanked him closer still.  His scent filled her nostrils, smelling of soap and cologne.  Insensible, she slid a hand down between them to stroke his manhood and his feral cry told her instantly what he wanted. 
The maid was completely forgotten when Cole returned the favor by stroking her in turn between her legs.  Tara’s body flamed with need and she wantonly threw her legs wider to give him better access. 
“Wait, let me get my clothes off,” she panted. 
Cole’s nibbling at her ear and stroking of her halted and he pulled his hands away before standing.  She gasped as he towed her to her feet.  Tara thought that he had intended they should move to the bed, but instead he was making sure her outside door was locked and then moving toward the bathroom. 
“What are you doing?” she nearly whimpered. 
He paused, “I can’t do this, Tara.” 
“What?  Are you kidding me?” Her voice rose. 
“Keep your voice down,” he warned. 
Tara blinked and straightened her dress.  He’d gotten her so hot, she thought she’d catch on fire and now he was calling it quits without satisfying her? 
“You can’t be serious, Cole.” 
He was suddenly angry.  “I am a married man.” 
“You didn’t think of that when you had your hand between my legs and your tongue down my throat.” 
“Don’t be crass,” he growled. 
She stomped over to him and shoved the bathroom door shut before he could pass through it.  “Well that’s it, isn’t it?  You find me crass, too pushy?  You want a sweet little thing that will flutter her frightened little eyes at you as you take her virginity?” 
He shoved her away from him, “Why do you have to talk like that?” 
Tara was as angry as he was now.  Her desire had been doused by his attitude.  She glanced down at the floor and produced a few large tears, which rolled slowly down her nose and plopped onto the floor.  She sniffed softly and whispered, “I don’t know how to talk to people.  I try so hard to do things right, but…” 
Instantly Cole moved to take her in his arms, “Don’t, darling.  It’s ok.”  Cole lifted her chin and covered her face with feathery kisses.  She waited a moment—pressing close—until he was turned on again.  And then she glanced up at him, her large eyes wide with feigned innocence. 
“Cole Stevens.  You can go straight to hell.”  Never leaving his shocked embrace, she swung around brushing him with her round bottom before moving away to her bed.  “Now get out of my room.  I’m tired.” 
He said nothing as he eased open the bathroom door and walked through to his own room.  Tara collapsed on her bed with real tears streaming down onto her chin.  She curled onto her side, gathered up her knees and cried herself to sleep. 
 
Several hours later, Tara woke from her sleep with a start and a shiver.  Her room was still dark and her window stood open.  She sat up slowly and moved to close it against the cool night air.  Tara leaned out over the ledge to breath in a last breath of fresh air and looked out through the trees toward the sea.  Immediately, she saw a bobbing light just as she’d seen earlier.   
She turned back into her room to check the clock on her nightstand.  It was four am.  She made a quick decision.  She had to know what was going on out there.  What would someone be doing at this time of morning, out in the dark? 
Tara swung her leg over the sill and looked out at the tree closest to the house.  She blew out her breath and tucked her feet beneath her until she crouched.   
“Well.  Here we go again.” 
 
Chapter Four 
 
Tara dropped to the ground as silently as possible.  She crouched in the shadows and took inventory of her surroundings, listening for movement nearby.  It may be pre-dawn, but it was obvious that someone was up early.  It would not do to be caught in her present form, skulking about a private home on a private island.  How would it be explained to John that a Shift was found out here or that his guest’s wife had mysteriously disappeared?  Better not to be foolish. 
She surveyed the grouping of trees furthest from the house, leading into dense foliage, dark and mysterious.  This was the direction she’d seen the light and suddenly she didn’t feel so brave going in to investigate its origin.  Moonlight winked out in that jungle, smothered by any number of grizzly things Tara didn’t allow her mind to conjure a picture of. 
“Come on, Tara.  You’re braver than this.”  She smirked into the darkness.  “Cole would not be afraid to venture out there.  I’m no less than he is.”  This brief pep talk bolstered her and she set off, making her own path through the undergrowth. 
Damn, this island is bigger than I thought!  She’d been making progress swiftly for the last twenty-five minutes, by the dim light of the moon and yet there was no sign of life.  There were no clues that anyone had been this way in the last year, let alone tonight. 
She stood still glancing around and considering whether she should retrace her steps back to the house.  Suddenly came the unmistakable snap of a twig in the darkness to her left.  Tara took cover behind a fallen log, hoping she hadn’t been spotted, then hoping whoever it was was not coming in her direction.  She waited silently, straining her ears to catch another sound, something to indicate where the person was now. 
Soon she heard the sound of soft steps, picking their way over the dead limb-littered ground.  It was a woman.  She muttered as she went, complaining, it sounded to Tara’s ears.  The voice moved closer to Tara’s position and she panicked, wondering what to do.  But the woman moved on, her voice familiar. 
“Soon I will leave this island and never look back.  And no one will make me come back either.  Not ever.”  The woman moved past Tara’s hiding place and continued to mutter. 
Tara peaked up over the log and thought she recognized the woman.  She was petite with long black hair hanging freely down her back.  Her plain black dress—or some dark color, it was hard to see in this dim light—hung loose on her thin frame.  And Tara remembered.  It was the maid, the one who’d come to her room to help her find her swimsuit.  She was probably also the one who’d come in and caught Tara and Cole wrapped in each other’s arms on the floor of Tara’s room.  She supposed the woman would be back in a few hours to clean up the mess they’d made of the lamp. 
Remembering Cole and his attitude toward her made Tara angry again and hurt too.  She wasn’t used to that feeling—hurt.  She supposed in so many ways she was protected.  She had mostly interacted with her own kind, viewing the human male inferior and studying the female human from a distance to learn how to behave on her jobs. 
“I guess I’ve been somewhat prejudiced,” she considered.  “Though curious, so curious of what it’s like.”  She shook her head determinedly and shoved Cole from her mind.  She wanted to see what this maid was up to. 
She moved stealthily behind the woman, staying far enough back to keep from being heard or seen.  It wasn’t necessary to keep her feet from snapping her own swigs as the woman was breaking enough for the two of them.  Instead, Tara concentrated on keeping her in sight.  It was not easy with the woman disappearing intermittently in the shadows. 
Another fifteen minutes and the maid came into a clearing, at the base of a low hill.  Tara stopped and hid behind a tree.  She glanced up at the sky, knowing it would start getting light soon, and then back at the woman.  She shuffled hesitantly forward, to some hanging vines on the side of the hill, her hand disappearing behind the black cords.  Tara shivered.  She could only imagine the creepy crawlies that must hidden there. 
Presently a man stepped out and Tara blinked.  Where had he come from? 
“You’re late!” he cuffed her across the side of her head. 
“I’m sorry.  I got caught up doing some work.” 
“Idiot!” he cuffed her again and dragged her between the vines.  Tara heard his muffled criticism, “You risk your own life being out for five and half hours.” 
Tara stared, aghast.  What was going on here?  Five and a half hours?  But that was significant only for Shifts!  Her heart pounded painfully in her chest and she was suddenly panting.   
Where had they gone?  She crept forward, pausing to listen and glance around.  No one appeared to be nearby, so she inched closer, intent on inspecting the hill.  There was definitely something suspicious going on.  She couldn’t believe that John knew that his maid was a Shift.  He hated them, wanted them gone from his planet.  No, he would not employ one in his home.  Briefly, she considered if this was the something that Drew claimed to have overhead regarding Cole.  It didn’t make sense. 
Tara stood before the hillside and pulled aside the vines.  Though it was lighter out, still she couldn’t see any discernable doorway or cave.  There was nothing but impacted dirt in a partly-collapsed stone archway.  
“Well, it could have been a doorway—a hundreds of years ago.  But not now.”  Her hands sought a crevice, a secret latch.  There was nothing and she sighed.  “Ok, you’re tired, Tara, and your mind is playing tricks on you.” 
While she stood perplexed, examining the spot the two people had disappeared, a rustle of leaves sounded behind her.  Before she could turn, a heavy blow landed on her head, sending thousands of lightening bolts racing through her skull.  Her vision tunneled and her knees buckled beneath her.  Tara crumpled helplessly to the ground, consciousness escaping the pain in her head. 
 
“Don’t you worry, sir.  I’ll take care of this one.”  The speaker kicked at Tara’s side and she clenched her jaw to keep from crying out.  “She’ll not be so quick to disobey you again.” 
“See that she doesn’t.” 
Tara couldn’t recognize either voice.  Her ears felt plugged and her head still ached from the harsh treatment earlier.  She kept her eyes closed as not to draw attention to herself.  Soon the man, who was obviously in authority, left the area.  The barbarian who’d kicked her dragged her up to her feet. 
“Let’s go.  I know you’re awake.” 
Tara felt her stomach turn.  She was afraid—really afraid—for the first time.  But she forced herself to look into his eyes.  She had to be able to identify this man to the authorities later.  That is, if he didn’t kill her first. 
How many times had she vowed to get some type of self-defense training?  Someone, somewhere would have taught her.  Surely.  She should have kept trying, going to trainer after trainer until she found someone willing.  And now it might be too late. 
Tara’s head fell back against her neck.  She struggled against the dawn light, still dull but painful, to focus on his face.  But it was no use.  He was wearing a hood, a brown hood that allowed only his eyes and mouth to be seen slightly through the slits.  His rough brown clothes matched the hood, giving him anonymity and power over Tara’s fear. 
Think!  She struggled to process rational thought, but the pain made it nearly impossible.  He had tangled his fingers into her hair and was pulling her toward the hill.  Self-preservation began to bubble inside and mingled with her terror.  This man intended to hurt her more, to teach her a lesson about disobeying some command.  They were obviously mixing her up with another Shift.  Humans thought they all looked alike.  She had to get free somehow and get help. 
They were facing the hill and the man reached between the vines to flip a switch.  Tara focused as best she could to learn how to control the mechanism when she brought back the police.  And then she twisted her head toward the hand still holding her hair and bit down as hard as she could.  She felt his skin tear away in her teeth. 
With a tormented cry, he released Tara and she took off running away from him.  She tore through the trees and the thorny brush, not caring that it ripped her dress.  Her stomach pitched and only when she heard his voice somewhat at a distance, did she stop to retch from an empty stomach.  But then she was off again, determined to get away to safety. 
She had no idea which way to go to find the house.  She hadn’t been paying much attention while she’d been following the maid.  She’d been foolish.  A stitch in her side forced her to stop and take stock.  The man’s call was out of hearing range, but that didn’t mean she was safe.  He had snuck up on her before.  He could do it again, and she had no wish to feel that pain again. 
It felt like she’d been running for hours.  The sun was high in the sky and she could only imagine that Cole and the others would be looking for her.  No, she remembered she’d already set a pattern for leaving her room only at noon.  No one would be worried.  No one would even care, least of all Cole after the way she’d behaved last night.  Not that she regretted it, she told herself. 
Some minutes later, she glimpsed a spire of the house through the trees, and relief flooded her being.  As she drew closer, she heard a lawn mower in the distance.  Probably on the opposite side of the house.  The gardener would be on this side soon enough.  The grass was still uncut.  She’d have to figure out how to get inside. 
Tara stopped at the edge of the tree line and stared up at the house.  She was exhausted and hurting.  That let out the idea of climbing up the tree, definitely not that last leap.  Her thigh muscles were now throbbing as much as her head. 
She couldn’t stay here.  She had to make a decision.  Moving back into the cover of the trees, Tara leaned against the thick trunk of an oak.  She closed her eyes and concentrated on slowing her breathing. 
“You can do this,” she whispered. 
If she could transform to Gina, even a few moments, she could make it up to her room.  So long as she didn’t have to converse with anyone.   
Her breaths deepened as she focused her mind.  It still hurt, but she disregarded it.   
“Cool breeze on a warm beach.  Swimming with the fish.  Kootoo.”  She smiled, feeling the relaxation steal over her frame.  From her toes, the skin began to empty out its cinnamon tone.  The creamy roughness of human skin raced up her legs, across her belly and breasts to her hair.  Her eyes switched and shrank, while her thick long black hair instantaneously bleached to a vibrant blond.  Finally, her long wiry muscles shortened to a stockier athletic build, and Tara became Gina. 
Gina dragged in an emboldening breath and stepped carefully from the trees.  She continued slowly, as not to tire herself out.  The side door leading to a hallway was just twenty feet away now.  She had been informed that it was often left unlocked during the day because it was the most direct route to the beach.  She could only hope no one was on their way to that destination at this time. 
The base of the stairs leading up to her room was gained without incident.  As soon as she put a foot on the bottom step, a maid began her decent.  Gina glanced around for a place to hide and saw none that she’d reach in time before being seen.  She had no choice but to stand her ground.  She trembled and felt her grip slipping. 
She peaked up at the maid and blinked, shocked that it was the maid from a few hours ago.  The same woman!  There was no mistaking it, but how? 
Seeing Gina’s distress, the woman spoke, “Are you ok, Mrs. Stevens?” 
Gina put up a hand to cover her eyes, feigning a headache.  She muttered something noncommittal and rushed past as quickly as her waning energy would allow.  The woman must have been wrapped up in her own moonlight activities.  She didn’t mull over Gina’s odd behavior long before moving on. 
Too late, Tara remembered that Cole had locked her bedroom door from the inside.  She stood before it staring down at the knob as if that would make the stupid thing unlock. 
A laugh from somewhere further down the hall was all it took for her to come to a decision.  She darted inside what she judged as Cole’s bedroom door and clicked it closed behind her.  The empty room was tidy, though his scent lingered.  Gina felt a physical longing and moved to exit this place as soon as possible.  One step forward and she was back to her natural self, padding easily to her room, past the bathroom. 
She perused it, noting the broken lamp was still on the floor.  She was grateful the maid, whoever she was, respected Gina’s privacy enough not to come inside her room through Cole’s room.  Unfortunately, Cole had no such qualms.  A note written in his confident script was propped against her pillow. 
“Gina, I cannot imagine where you are this early in the morning.  However, I have arranged for you to have lunch with me today on Taquil.  We need to talk. Cole.” 
As if she was wondering who it was from.  She sighed and twisted to look at her bedside clock.  Ten-thirty.   
“Well, my dear husband, you’ll have to be disappointed.  I need rest.” 
She stripped off her ruined dress, tossed it somewhere out of sight and flopped face down on the bed.  It was a good thing Cole hadn’t noticed her door was still locked from the inside, she thought groggily. 
 
“I thought it the least you could do since standing me up for lunch,” Cole’s eyes were mildly accusing. 
Gina wasn’t biting, “I didn’t stand you up.  That would require me agreeing to have lunch with you.”  She took a leisurely sip of wine as she sat across from him taking in his rugged good looks.  His tasteful suit fit well on his muscled frame, causing ripples of desire to cascade over her skin.  There was no doubting she still wanted him.  “You haven’t figured out yet that I don’t respond well to commands.” 
“Apparently not.” 
 She chuckled softly and allowed her gaze to slide away from his face, taking in her surroundings.  The island, Taquil, Cole had brought her to, just five miles by boat from John’s Island was just as magnificent.  The restaurateur had brought in the beautiful tropics by lining the walls with various floras and the roof was almost entirely made of glass.  Gina could glance up and see straight through to the clear night sky, resplendent with twinkling stars. 
 “Impressed?” 
 Her gaze returned to her husband, “Very.  It’s breathtaking.” 
 “Only the best for my loving wife.” 
 She cocked a brow at him and returned her attention to their surroundings.  “They even have a dance floor.” 
 “For dancing.” 
 The word, “Duh” trembled on her lips, but she resisted the impulse.  She loved the slang of this world, but felt foolish using it.  
 “Can we?”  
 Cole was hesitant and Gina knew why.  When she’d appeared before him earlier in the evening after her restorative nap, she’d chosen to wear a clingy white dress.  Its simplistic sleeveless design was created to accentuate her full breasts, narrow waist and long legs.  She’d pinned up her blond hair to elongate her neck.  The effect she had been going for could not be denied when she caught the naked lust in Cole’s eyes.  The only problem had been her feeling of annoyance at his attraction to a false image and not to her real self. 
 Now, she surmised, he was remembering that this Gina was not his wife.  And he hesitated to allow himself the pleasure of getting too close.  She stood, always defiant. 
 “Well, I’ll dance by myself.  The live band is drawing me.” 
 Cole sat with a stunned expression when she swung away to walk toward the dance floor.  Completely aware of the sensation she was causing in several corners of the room, Gina found an ideal spot and began to move to the sultry tones.  She flowed easily, sensually with the beat of the music.  With her eyes closed, she raised her arms slowly above her head, rocking her hips in a slow arc and rotating on her heeled sandals.    
 “Damn, baby.  Do you know what you’re doing to me?” 
 “Get lost!”  That had been Cole tossing off the drunken guy who’d approached her.  She knew he wouldn’t be able to hold out long. 
His hands surrounded her, lightly resting on her waist.  She felt him match her rhythm when he stepped closer from behind, his touch burning through the thin material of her dress.  She tipped up her chin to see his face.  Just as she knew there would be, desire etched every feature. 
Her lips parted and he noticed.  She saw him struggle only a second before his head lowered and captured her lips in a searing kiss.  Gina gave herself up to him, opening at his probing tongue, taking what he gave.   
She felt his hands slide down from her waist to her hips and then around to the front, steadily seeking.  Gina pressed back against him, hoping to signal that he shouldn’t reach further in this public place, but the movement incited his passion all the more. 
Cole’s rasping groan tore from his throat, “Now.” 
She nodded silently. 
 
The five miles back to John’s Island could not end fast enough for Gina.  She was barely able to think clearly as she sat on Cole’s lap, rubbing sensually, though not purposely, every time the boat hit a wave.  Cole was nearly catatonic with his face buried against her neck, silent.  She wondered if he’d go through with it this time.  She wondered what he was thinking and not really wanting to know.  She only hoped she’d end up in his bed tonight. 
Minutes later, Gina stood before Cole, in his room.  The lights switched off, she waited in the dark for him to decide.  But his fiery touch as his hand cupped her breast told her he was beyond changing his mind.  He would follow through. 
“Take off your dress.” 
She reached back to unzip it, her hands trembling with her excitement.  The material soon dropped at her feet and she stepped out of it.  Her naked skin glistened in the moonlight shining in the window, the beams bouncing off her taut nipples.  Cole’s intake of breath told her he liked what he saw. 
“Take off your panties.” 
Again she obeyed, bending slightly.  His hands reached out again to cup her breasts as she leaned toward him.  He stroked the rosy buds and rolled them gently between his fingers. 
Gina whimpered and moved closer, aching for more.  In the dim light, he found her mouth.  His tongue darted inside, tasting her, hungry and desperate.  Gina gave herself to him and he lifted her in his arms and carried her to his bed.  He placed her gently before ripping his own clothes from his hard body. 
She stared, awed at the perfect symmetry, lust nearly her undoing.  She had to have him now.  Gina reached up to him and stroked his naked chest.  She wanted to demand he come to her now.  And then she did demand. 
“Come here to me.” 
He seemed taken aback. 
“I need you.” 
He softened. 
As he leaned over her, one knee at her side, Gina took in every detail of his male form.  He was made so flawlessly.  The sinewy muscle rippled with his movements.  The long think member alert for her.  Boldly, she reached for it and stroked. 
His moan was wrenched from him and she felt a dominance over him as she squeezed him lightly, making him need her.  But he soon took back the control when he removed her hand.  Cole pushed her arms above her head and held her hands with his. 
She wriggled, trying to free herself.  “Don’t.” 
In answer, he covered her mouth, kissing her long and rough.  Gina arched her body up to him, craving his weight, craving his entrance inside her.  He held back, tormenting her. 
“Please.” 
“Wait.” 
Still he held control.  His mouth explored her body, tasting her nipples and her belly.  He dragged her hands down with him as he slid lower upon her, his hungry mouth seeking her center and what he would taste there. 
Gina’s own cry of need burst forth at his contact.  His tongue sliding inside her.  She quivered and begged, pleading for satisfaction.  Her hips rocking in the air, wanting more.  Cole sucked gently and then harder, almost lapping at her. 
“Cole.” 
He brought her to frenzied heights and she silently begged her body to crash over to that luscious culmination of feeling that would bring her the satisfaction she’d been denied since first meeting him.  He pulled back, replacing his mouth with his hand.  She shook her head, her eyes pleading. 
“What do you want?” 
“You know.” 
“Tell me.” 
She closed her eyes a moment and then opened them again.  “I…I want you…inside me.” 
Cole reached for her hips and yanked her forward.  Then he plunged hard into her.  Gina screamed and succumbed to his rapid rhythm.  She gripped his shoulders and pushed up against him.  They moved as one, their bodies slick and heated, merging repeatedly.  Gina screamed again and shuttered violently against her lover, whimpering his name against his chest, finally satisfied.  A half beat later, Cole reached the heights of his own passion and collapsed atop her.   
For several moments, she listened to his ragged breathing as he struggled to catch his breath.  She stroked his hair and planted small kisses on his shoulder.  She smiled out into the dark room.  It had been good…better than good.   
Cole rolled off of her and soon she heard his calm breathing as if he’d fallen asleep.  She leaned across to him and kissed his lips. 
“Cole?” 
Groggily, he lifted a heavy hand and stroked her cheek, “Thank you, Gina, for that.” 
She gasped and pulled back.  Gina?  Tears sprang to her eyes.  She slid to the edge of the bed and stood.  Instantly, she transformed. 
He lifted his head, still drunk with sleepiness, “What are you doing?” 
She bent to pick up her dress and shoes.  “I’m going back to my room.” 
“Why?  If you give me a few moments, we can—“ 
“I’m tired,” she cut him off. 
He sat up, “Tara, what’s wrong?” 
“My name is Tara!” she yelled. 
“I said Tara.” 
“You said—  Oh never mind.  I’m going.”  Tara moved to the bathroom door and slipped through before he could say another word.  She promptly locked her door and let her clothes fall to the floor before she burst into heavy sobs that wracked her body. 
 
Gina was relieved to learn the next morning that John, Cole and Drew were closeted for the day in John’s office, leaving instructions that they were not to be disturbed.  Gina was glad not to have to face Cole after last night.  She wasn’t completely sure she had her emotions in check.  Her first experience with a human and he’d been thinking of his wife the entire time!  The worst thing about it was she wasn’t sure if she was angry or hurt or both.   
She felt confused and needed to sort through all of this.  Cole had no real need to have his wife at his side.  John hadn’t even approached Gina since that first day.  He was too busy with work.  So why would Cole hire another woman to play his wife?  Had she even left him?  Then Gina had to consider what Drew told her about Cole.  She wondered what was true.  One thing was for sure.  She didn’t know either of these men well and she was thousands of miles away from home and safety.  She’d need to figure out what was going on and quick.  
“Well?” 
Gina looked up from her uneaten breakfast into the cold eyes of her hostess.  “Well, what?” 
Claudia was annoyed, “The least you could do when I talk is listen.  I guess that would require a degree of common courtesy you don’t have.” 
Gina smirked, “My dear Claudia.  I am not a male, so I feel no impulse to hang on your every whiny utterance.” 
Claudia glared, “Invitation retracted!” 
Gina supposed she’d asked her to join her for something, though she didn’t know why.  Claudia wasn’t the type to have female friends, unless they paled in comparison to her ethereal beauty.  She waved a dismissing hand, “Oh well.” 
The other woman grunted angrily, “I only asked you to go shopping on Taquil with me because John insisted I try to entertain you.  I told him you wouldn’t want to go.” 
Gina nodded, finally comprehending, “Oh, well maybe some other time.  I find I prefer laying about in the sun to spending a morning in your presence.” 
The air crackled with their dislike of each other.  Gina figured Claudia would not admit to her husband the rude comments Gina made to her.  Claudia would fear Gina revealing Claudia’s own lapse in hospitality.  She was secure in supposing Cole would never find out about her behavior.  The real Gina was a spoiled rich wife, not the occasional harpy that her mimic was. 
“Well if there’s nothing else?”  Gina stood and abruptly left the table.  She’d had more than enough of the delicate beauty with the sharp tongue.  There were more interesting things to get into. 
She headed up to her bedroom to change into something more conducive to her plans.  After Claudia left the house and island, Gina planned to try to find that little hill of yesterday.  She was somewhat fearful of returning to the place where she was attacked, but hopeful that in her disguise—and daylight—she would be relatively safe.  They would not dare attack her as a human.  The strange men seemed to prefer abusing Shifts and it would stop as soon as she could find out what was going on! 
 Gina reached up to her head and felt the small lump, which was her trophy to her experience from the day before.  She decided to look around for a small weapon of her own.  If anyone were foolish enough to threaten her again, she’d give him a taste of his own medicine. 
 
Chapter Five 
 
 
Gina picked her way through the tropical jungle that was John’s Island.  She’d wasted enough time trying to find the hill—two hours to be exact.  She was already exhausted and thirsty.  She could kick herself for not realizing the sun would be beaming down on her even through the thick trees.  As tired as she was, she was having trouble maintaining her body temperature.  Now, the hill was just about forty feet ahead of her. 
Gina paused and crouched down behind a shrub.  She reached into her pocket and felt the only weapon she’d been able to locate, a brass unicorn.  She hoped no one would discover it missing on the étagère in the library room before she had a chance to return it.  No explanation of why she’d removed it would satisfy them other than that she was a common thief.  Cole would be humiliated and angry.  
That thought had almost made her change her mind, but then she remembered how the maid had been treated and it stiffened her resolve.  If there were other Shifts being hurt, Gina had to know.  It was the right thing to do.  Besides, if any of the men in the house were involved somehow, it didn’t matter what she took.  She’d be in mortal danger. 
Finally satisfied that the coast was clear, she made her way slowly to the stone archway beneath the vines.  One last time, she checked left and then right.  There was no one in sight, no sounds beyond the call of birds in the tops of the trees and the crashing of the waves against the shore.  
Gina reached between the vines and ran her hands searchingly over the surface of the dirt beyond.  She forced thoughts of bugs from her mind and continued her blind examination.  And then the tip of her ring finger dipped into a tiny hole.  Excited, she pushed deeper and another tiny hold formed beside it.  She pushed in another finger.  The pattern repeated until she had four fingers on one hand inside.  And then the wall moved, sliding silently inward and away to the side.  She was in! 
The stale air assaulted her nostrils, as Gina stepped inside a narrow cave, leading downward.  The passage was dark, the outside light only penetrating a few feet.  Gina quickly sought inside the other pocket of her sundress for a small flashlight she kept with her at all times.  It paid to be prepared. 
“Now if only I had pants on.”  She still hadn’t gone shopping for clothing other than the dresses Cole had provided.  She’d do it the first chance she got.   
Gina flicked on her light and moved further inside the cave.  The walls matched the dirt-impacted door.  At intervals along the descent, stone columns lined the wall, meeting lengths of stone molding along the ceiling.  
The dirt floor seemed to be swept free of rocks and other debris.  The temperature had dropped considerably and Gina was grateful for the reprieve from the sun.  Presently, she came to a fork, a path leading to the left and right. 
She called to mind an old children’s game she’d played as a child to choose the way, “Eeny, meenie, miney, mo!”  Only last year on a case, she’d learned the exact same game had been played here on earth.  It was amazing how far it had traveled across the galaxies. 
The left chosen, Gina shuffled forward.  When she came to another three caves, she retrieved another item from her deep pockets—chalk.  She marked a column and continued on.   
After twenty minutes of travel, the air seemed cleaner and now artificial lights lined the walls every ten or twenty feet.  Gina noticed other signs of modern activity here.  In an alcove to her right was a small office.  Disordered papers sat on a desk and a Styrofoam cup, half empty, kept their company. 
Gina wondered if the guy had just gone to the bathroom.  She dipped a finger inside the cup and found the drink was cold.  He’d been gone a while.  She began to wonder when he’d return.  If she was caught inside here, there was no telling what they would do to her.  
She checked her watch.  Eleven-thirty.  Claudia had said she’d be having lunch on Taquil.  The men had their own arrangements.  She didn’t suppose any of the household staff would seek her out for her midday meal.  And who knew when she’d get another chance to look around here.  She had to get something substantial. 
Gina moved to the desk and rifled through the papers.  It was a letter, and the company name on top was unmistakable.  Stevens and Pierce Acquisitions, Inc. 
“Oh no!”   
Gina dropped the paper to the floor as if it had burned her.  She stood for several moments staring fearfully down at it.  Bending down, Gina reached out for the paper.  Her trembling arm was two-toned.  She was losing control.   
“Calm down,” she told herself.  “Just read it.  Get it over with.  Get out of here.” 
She swallowed, fanned her suddenly heated skin and waited for her mind to settle.  Finally, the brown faded on her arm and she reached again for the sheet on the floor.  She had to blink several times to bring the print into focus. 
“John Taylor,” she read, “My partner and I will be happy to spend a few days with you discussing your needs.  I’m sure we can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement.  Please contact my secretary…” 
Gina let the page fall back onto the pile.  So he knew.  Why else would a letter from Cole to John be in the cave?  And John knew too.  It was his island, how could he not know? 
Tears rolled silently down her face as she retraced her steps to the entrance.  “What a fool I am. Way out of my league, thinking I knew how to choose a human male.  Stupid.  Stay with your own kind,” she chastised herself. 
Somehow she made her way back to the entrance and managed to get the door sealed again.  Not wanting to face anyone, she made her way down to the beach she and Drew had visited.  With no thoughts of being seen, she stripped naked and slid into the cool water. 
Quickly she dipped below the aqua ripples and swam far into the deeper waters.  Hating the form of Gina, she transformed beneath the surface into herself.  There was no one to see her and at the moment she didn’t give a damn if Cole wouldn’t like it.    
Tara swam for an hour, struggling with her thoughts.  The fact that she needed Cole’s money hadn’t changed.  The second half of the money he still owed her would put she and Coltech firmly in the black and maybe even supply her assistant with a vacation.   
More important were people—Shifts—if they were in trouble.  She’d have to work through that.  She couldn’t prove any wrong-doing.  Even the letter had been innocent enough, nothing more than what Cole had told her on the day she met him. 
Tara transformed to Gina before exiting the water.  She slipped back into her dress and sat on a large rock.  Drawing her knees up to her chest, she contemplated long on her next move.  The best thing might be to explore the cave again.  The sight of the letter from Cole had disheartened her momentarily.  She was not the type to give up anything without a fight, and Cole Stevens would not get the better of her, she didn’t care how sexy he was. 
Suddenly a sharp pain shot through her head and an intense bout of nausea had her stomach doing flip-flops.  She lurched forward and cried out as she landed flat on the sand.  Thinking someone had attacked her, she rolled away, her eyes searching the tree line frantically.  But there was no one there. 
The pain and nausea struck again and Gina writhed in agony on the ground, crying out again and again.  Tears drenched her face and she begged the invisible attacker for mercy.  She felt her skin ripple, her eyes grow and shrink.  Closing her eyes against the now blinding sunlight, she struggled to gain control. 
“What’s wrong with me?” 
For a moment the pain eased, the nausea was tolerable.  Her eyes were slits when she checked her watch.  Oh God!  It was almost three in the afternoon!  She’d been transformed too long.  This was the onset of Shift sickness.  If she didn’t get back to her room, she was risking irreparable brain damage and maybe death. 
While the pain was in a sort of remission, Gina stumbled weakly back to the house.  She ignored the pebbles that tore at her sensitive bare feet.  She hadn’t taken the time to put on her shoes.  Her only thoughts were of survival.  This whole assignment had been cursed from the beginning.  It was too taxing.   
As she reached the side door, she heard the cell phone in her pocket go off.  She let it ring.  Confused, she dragged herself up the stairs and weaved her way along the hall to her room. 
The door was ajar and she reached out to push the door, but stopped short when she heard Claudia’s laugh.  What the--?  Why would Claudia be in her room?  Gina glanced blankly around her, blinking rapidly.  Then she figured it out.  She had come in from the other side of the house.  The beach she’d been swimming at was not the one she’d gone to with Drew.  She’d been more upset than she thought not to have noticed.  And now she was on the opposite side of her floor.  This room must be Claudia’s. 
She moved to turn away and pick her way back to her side of the floor, but something made her stop.  Claudia’s laugh had turned sensual, groaning her pleasure.  Why should she care about Claudia having sex in the middle of the day, Gina wondered.  
Her befuddled brain didn’t give her feet the signal to move on and Gina stood dumbly listening outside the door.  She could only hope no one would catch her out here. 
So this was the reaction to the sickness, shut down of motor skills?  Gina felt intense fear knot her belly and fresh tears fell down her face.  She felt ashamed.  She hadn’t cried so much in her life as she’d done in just a few days on this blasted island.  She longed to go home and have Coltech heal her.  Even his puppyish whining would be preferable to this madness. 
Control burst free and Gina became Tara.  Her long legs crumpled beneath her and Tara lay inert upon the hall carpet.  The only part of her body still working was her eyes and her sense of hearing.  She lay trapped by the sounds of ecstasy escaping the room to her left. 
“Oh, yes, faster baby!” Claudia called out. 
Tara couldn’t hear the man’s voice clearly.  His deep voice rumbled just below Tara’s discernment.  She lay waiting for them to finish, to discover her. 
And then another voice sounded in the hall below. 
“Hold on, let me check in my room.”  It was John!  
Tara willed her worn body to move.  If John was coming up here, he’d catch a Shift and a cheating wife in one gloriously disastrous moment.  She dragged her lax muscles along the floor, using the last of her reserves.  A glance ahead showed her it was still several feet to the turn at the back hall leading around to the other side of the second floor.  She wouldn’t make it. 
Tara heard John stop and question the maid. 
“Yes, sir.  I will look.”  The maid was coming. 
Tara had to decide.  Could she trust the maid to help her, a fellow Shift?  No, she couldn’t risk it.  Not yet.  Not now.  She glanced around her and spotted a narrow door.  She remembered seeing the maid open it onto a linen closet.  Tara knew she could fit in it and it was reachable. 
She fought hard to get to the closet.  A tiny wave of pain began at the back of her head.  It would intensify soon and she’d be yelling out in pain.  She needed to get out of sight.  Finally after what seemed like years, she made it inside, pulling the door closed just as the maid reached the top of the stairs. 
Tara heard her walk by and closed her eyes.  Apparently John and Claudia also did not share a room.  But surely the maid had heard the lovers inside the first room.  One would have to be deaf not to. 
She pushed open the closet door a crack and peaked out.  The maid, on her return, now carried a small item in her hand.  She paused outside Claudia’s room and pulled the door closed.  Tara gasped.  So it was a common occurrence.  Possibly everyone knew, even John?  And if that was so, Tara speculated, then maybe they also knew who Claudia was sleeping with.  A vision of Cole rose in her mind and she squeezed her eyes closed, fighting against the pain that threatened again to engulf her. 
She’d stay here.  And after a small nap, she’d know who it was in Claudia’s room for sure.  She was tired of wondering, being unsure.  But the pain increased again and she yanked the closet door closed before she began to retch uncontrollably. 
Tara’s cell phone began to ring and she struggled to control herself to stop the sound from alerting someone of her location.  She pulled it free of her pocket, still jerking violently.  She pounded the silence button and dropped the phone on the floor beside her. 
Slowly the pain eased and the retching stopped.  She breathed deeply, exhausted.  But the phone rang again and this time, she picked it up to answer. 
“Yes?” 
“Tara!” 
It was Coltech. 
“Coltech.  Coltech, I—“ 
He cut her off, “Tara, what’s wrong?  I know something is wrong with you.” 
She burst into tears again, “Coltech, I’m sick.  Help me.” 
“I knew it, “ he whined his puppy whine.  “Tara.” 
She felt immediate irritation, “Stop it, Coltech.  Help me somehow.  I’m dying!” 
The whining stopped and Tara heard a low rumble in Coltech’s throat.  She’d heard that rumble only once before when she’d been hit by a car during a case.  She’d had a severe concussion and Coletech hadn’t trusted the doctors to look after her.  For that matter, neither had she.  She trusted Coltech. 
“Coletch, how can you do it over the phone?” she worried. 
He didn’t answer.  The rumble continued. 
Tara pulled the phone away from her ear and stared down at it.  There was no healing light flashing from it, so how could he hel?.  The pain intensified in her head.  Desperate, she pressed the phone again to her ear and closed her eyes. 
Suddenly, she felt the rumble enter her mind, or was it the sound waves, reverberating gently across her skull, soothing the pain.  She now knew it had not been the light in the severe cases that healed her, but the waves of sound, the pitch Coltech used in his throat.  Distance did not lessen the impact as long as the decibels stayed true.  Incredibly, as Tara felt the sickness recede, she was being healed over thousands of miles.  Coltech was incredible.  
“Coltech, it’s easing.  I’m being healed.” 
The rumbling stopped, “I know.” 
“But how?” 
She could almost see him shrug, “I am your life assistant.” 
Tara allowed herself a small chuckle, “Ok, ok.  I’ve always known you feel what I feel, Coltech.  And you’ve healed me more times than I can count, but this is beyond anything I could have imagined.  You’re amazing.” 
“I know.” 
She chuckled again. 
“Tara.” He hesitated.  “I’m worried about you.  I’ve felt different emotions from you in the past couple of days.” 
She was angry, “Coltech, don’t invade my privacy.” 
He was quiet a few moments.  “I don’t,” he said finally, “I have tuned only to a certain level.” 
Something occurred to her, “How did you get this number?” 
“From Cole.” 
“When?” 
“Before you left.  I told him I needed to know how to reach you and I would only call in a dire emergency.  This was it.” 
“Thank you, so much.  I still feel weak.” 
“You will.  You have to rest and no transforming for twenty-four hours.” 
“What?” she gasped, “Coltech, I can’t wait that long.  You don’t understand what’s going on here.” 
“Doctor’s orders.” 
She was silent. 
Coltech whined, the puppy chastised, “It’s important for your health.  Please, Tara.” 
“Ok.  But I wonder how I’ll get out of this closet.” 
“Huh?” 
“Never mind.”  She hung up. 
Coltech had healed Tara’s mind, but her body was still worn out.  She felt no strength to move from the closet.  And the tight squeeze was not helping her recovery.  She squinted at her watch face and saw that it was now four.  She hadn’t eaten since morning and that had only been a few bites.  She needed food and rest, but had no idea how to get it. 
Voices in the hall woke Tara from her slumber.  She strained to make them out, but couldn’t separate the tones as they were too far away, probably at the bottom of the stairs. 
And then she heard Cole.  “Sure, we’ll be down in a few minutes.”  He was coming up the stairs.  Tara had to make a quick decision.  Should she trust him enough to get his assistance back to her room?  It had to be ok.  She was still in his employ.  He obviously needed her for something.  This closet was not helping anything, though she’d been sleeping a good two hours. 
Rather than take the chance that someone was in the hall with him, she called his cell.  It seemed absurd with him only a few feet away. 
“Cole?” 
“Where are you?” 
No hello, how are you? 
“I’m in a closet.” 
“What?” 
She sighed, “I’m ill.  I need your help to get out of the closet, to my room.  I don’t have the strength.  I am…myself.” 
He didn’t reply and Tara looked at her phone to see if he’d hung up on her.  The next instant, he opened the closet door and stood above her.  Without a word, he bent and lifted her in his arms.  Tara’s weakened neck gave and her head flopped against his shoulder.  She shut her eyes and waited to be put on her bed. 
“You want to explain to me what happened to you?”  Cole was as cold as he’d been the day she met him.  She shrank back, feeling vulnerable in her present state. 
“I got sick, like I said.” 
He leaned toward her, his eyes unreadable, “You don’t get sick.” 
She longed to turn away from his icy stare, but had no ability to readjust herself.  She blinked. 
“What’s wrong with your eyes?” 
“What?” She knew there could be no rippling or growth.  Her muscles couldn’t transform if she tried.  “What do you mean?” 
Cole leaned closer, his breath fanning her, “They’re tinged with blue.  It’s very unusual.”  
“As if they’re usual at any other time?  It’s the sickness.  The Shift sickness.” 
Cole’s eyes widened.  He knew what she meant, and he knew what caused it.  “When were you transformed too long?” 
She couldn’t tell him what she’d been up to today.  It might put her in greater danger.  There was no telling what he knew or what he was really involving in.  And then pain ripped through her belly causing her to cry out. 
Cole gathered her up in his arms and held her tight against him.  “What can I do for you?” 
She tried helplessly to pull away, but failed.  Tara couldn’t explain anything to Cole.  How could she tell him she was crying because he’d been in the wrong hall?  Where he found her was not the hall leading to their bedrooms, so there could be no reason for him to be there.  The only explanation was that he had not been coming up the stairs at all, but exiting from Claudia’s room. 
 
If she’d had her way, Tara would have cared for herself.  But no amount of effort would get her muscles to obey her mental commands.  They were down for the time being and would not cooperate until they were good and ready. 
She flopped back against her pillows and waited impatiently for Cole’s return.  He’d gone downstairs to get her something to eat. 
“What will you tell them?” she’d queried him. 
“The truth.  That you’re sick and I’m bringing you food.”   
“The truth,” she repeated, trying not to sound condemning. 
He didn’t catch on to her subtle accusation.  Yet, his eyes remained cold and withdrawn.  Tara remembered again Drew’s words of how Cole had steadily become more distant and cold lately. 
She lay with her eyes closed, not wanting to remember.  Not wanting to believe Cole was hurting Shifts.  Maybe he was colder to her because he regretted sleeping with a Shift.  It had been a momentary weakness for him.  He wouldn’t let it happen again. 
Not that she would.  She was not interested in a married man, even if they were separated.  Hadn’t she overhead many a human woman say they always returned to their wives?  Besides, Cole hadn’t left her.  She’d left him.  He was bound to still love her.   
She raised a hand to her forehead, rubbing at the persistent memories flashing through her mind.  She couldn’t help but think that as soon as Mrs. Gina Stevens had gotten her lover out of her system, she’d return, begging for Cole’s forgiveness.  Tara suspected he would. 
“How could you think about her when it was us?” she demanded to the empty room.  “How could you do that?” 
Her eyes fell upon the mirror on her night table at the side of her bed.  She’d begged Cole to bring it to her so that she could see the blue in her eyes for herself.  She’d only ever seen it in the crazed Shifts on the streets who’d transformed too long and too often, just to make money.  Thick rings of blue surrounded the black pearl of their eyes, a testament to their sickness.  Of course they didn’t last long out in the open.  Humans were fearful of the disease, scared they’d catch something.  Tara suspected the government took the poor bastards and locked them in facilities somewhere, though she couldn’t prove it. 
Now she picked up the mirror to check her eyes again.  She’d had only a thin line of blue and it was beginning to fade.  Had Cole not been able to heal her…  She shivered at the thought.  Once the disease reached stage two, Tara would have been hallucinating and even Coltech would not have been able to heal her.  Shift disease was incurable at that point, leading eventually to death.  Tara wondered why the others hadn’t stuck close by their assistants for healing.  Every male shift could heal.  It was a sort of makeup for not being able to shape shift—that and the ability to read the emotions of their charges.  Tara was still annoyed at that little gift in Coltech, even after all these years.  Though she had to be grateful since he had saved her life because it. 
“I hope you like steak,” Cole slid inside the room and pressed the door closed quickly, before locking it. 
He held out the plate to Tara and she shrank away.  “Not really.  Could you take it off my plate, please?” 
Cole glared at her, but obliged. 
“Thank you.”  Tara received the plate and sat calmly and hungrily consuming the rice and green beans.  She felt as if she hadn’t eaten in years.  She could actually feel her body snatching at the nutrients from the food, gaining strength. 
Cole straddled the chair he’d brought in earlier to watch over her while she slept.  She’d felt somewhat self-conscious to find him in her room when she woke, wondering why he went to the trouble.   
“Are you ready to talk to me?” 
“I’ve been talking to you all along.  When I wasn’t sleeping.”  She shoveled another forkful in her mouth and watched in satisfaction his look of distaste. 
“I mean tell me what you were doing that you forgot yourself long enough to get Shift’s disease.”  He was obviously irritated, but Tara didn’t care. 
She smiled insolently, “I already told you, Cole.  I’d spent several hours on the beach.  I love to swim and could do it forever.” 
He looked skeptical and she decided to turn the tables. 
“I have you pegged,” she told him. 
He waited silently. 
Tara deliberately dropped her fork onto her empty plate and handed it over to him.  He took it without comment. 
She laughed, “You, Mr. Cole Stevens, are a snob.” 
“Excuse me?” 
She nodded, “Oh yes.  A snob.”  Tara tapped her lip, recalling something.  “A few months ago, I was mimicking a girl who loved regency romances.  I ended up choosing one to read while I waited for my appointment.” 
“You mean your dupe.” 
She waved a dismissing hand, “Whatever.  Anyway, in this book it described a man who was so into himself that his clothes had to be of the very highest quality.  His manners were always excellent and he was busy every day looking for a woman who was as perfect as he.  This book said the man was very ‘high in the instep.’  That’s you, Cole.   You’re high in the instep.  And I think that means you’re a snob.” 
There was no doubt that she’d insulted him.  But he knew what he was getting into hiring her.  She never bit her tongue.  If his glare had physical power, she was sure she’d have re-contracted Shift’s disease right on the spot. 
“Is that so, Ms. Tara Barnes?” 
She nodded affirmatively. 
“Well then turn about is fair play.  For I have also pegged you.” 
Tara yawned with feigned boredom and flicked a speck of dust from her comforter. 
His eyes narrowed, Cole continued, “You, Tara, are completely without.  Without femininity and without decorum.  You don’t care what your clothes look like.  Don’t think I didn’t notice the two dresses you ruined.  You are crass and forward.  You wouldn’t know how to act like a lady if your life depended on it.  You—“ 
He stopped.  Tara had dropped her head, struggling against the lump in her throat.  He’d hurt her feelings more than she’d thought possible.  Of course the stupid illness magnified her emotions tenfold.  She should have remembered that before she egged him on.  That had to be the reason she burst into hiccupping sobs, her nose running. 
“I won’t fall for that act again, Tara,” he whispered, uncertain. 
She twisted her head away and wiped her nose with the napkin she’d been given with dinner.  “Then get out, please.”  She was ashamed of her reaction and didn’t want him to see her real tears. 
“Tara.” 
She kept her face averted, struggling to gain control.  But Cole’s hurtful words played repeatedly in her mind, causing new sobs.  “Get out, please just get out.” 
He didn’t respond, but scooped her from the bed, dragging the covers along, and sat her on his lap.  “Tara.  Don’t cry.  I didn’t mean it.” 
She shook her head and tried to move back to the bed, but her legs were still unresponsive.  She was trapped in his arms. 
:”Tara,” he said again.  “I didn’t mean it.  You’re beautiful and perfect as you are.”   
He captured her lips, gently soothing her with his sweet kiss.  Tara calmed and wrapped her arms about his neck.  His scent was a heady concoction that lulled her into accepting his apology and healed her hurt.  She clung to him for long moments, wanting nothing more than to stay where she was. 
Too soon Cole raised his head and stared down at her.  “Better?” 
Embarrassed, she nodded. 
He moved to place her back in her bed and straightened her covers.  Tara wondered what he was thinking.  At that moment, she longed to have Coltech’s abilities to know his feelings.  Cole’s reserve had returned and he put distance between them. 
Tara schooled her mind not to speculate that Cole wasn’t attracted to her, but to the fact that she had the ability to transform to his wife. 
Cole stood, “I think you need to get some more rest.  Coltech said twenty-four hours.  It has not been nearly long enough.” 
“Yes.” 
Moments longer he watched her silently.  She stared up at him in return, hoping her feelings weren’t apparent on her face. 
“Close your eyes,” he commanded, as usual. 
“I—“ 
“Rest.” 
Feeling exhaustion, she obeyed.  I suspect I’m not as superior as I thought.  She drifted into unconsciousness knowing he would wait until she was fully asleep before moving to his own room.  For the moment, she felt safe in his care. 
 
Chapter Six 
 
Finally Gina was recovered enough to get out of bed.  She had a plan now to confront the maid and make her confess what was happening on this retched island.  Gina had come to the conclusion that she could not wait any longer when Claudia had come to her room looking for Cole.  Like the woman’s obedient lap dog, he’d squeezed out of the door, blocking Claudia’s view of Gina and gone off with her.  It had been the last Gina had seen him in her room. 
“Probably gone to her bedroom,” she thought bitterly. 
And now she couldn’t sit still any longer.  She needed to get to the bottom of this mystery so she could get the hell out of here and return to her ordinary life of dismissing the unwanted boyfriends of her clients.  Being threatened by men, such as Jay had been, was ten times better than having her emotions rung out every few minutes and being knocked over the head in a jungle.  Her safest bet, she’d decided, was the maid.  She would confront her that day. 
Gina strolled through the house, searching for the servant.  She didn’t even know her name.  The woman had a knack for being unobtrusive, invisible, as Gina knew some servants were trained to be. 
She stuck her head in the kitchen, catching sight of the cook for the first time.  The woman was as round as a ball and at least six feet tall.  Gina found herself staring a moment and then cleared her throat to gain the woman’s attention. 
“You can’t be in here, Mrs,” the accent was distinct, unmistakably Russian.  Red hands brushed a wisp of hair back from a red face. 
“I was just looking for the maid,” Gina told her.  “I needed…um…some help with something.” 
“You can’t be in here, Mrs.” 
Gina stared stupidly.  Had she heard her?  When no further comment was forthcoming, she figured she wouldn’t get any assistance in that quarter and ducked back out of the kitchen. 
She stood in the hall off the dining room wondering where she’d look next.  She’d already walked along the second floor listening for movements that sounded like cleaning.  Though in retrospect, what would constitute sounds of cleaning, unless it was the unmistakable noise of a vacuum cleaner? 
Gina considered going outside, but figured there were no duties a maid would do outdoors.  Where was she? 
“Looking for me, baby?” 
She stiffened as Drew slid his hands around her waist and pressed himself against her from behind.  He was unquestionably overstepping the bounds. 
“Drew, this is inappropriate,” she struggled against his hold. 
“You didn’t say that before.” 
She gasped. 
He laughed, enjoying himself teasing her.  “Yeah, ten years ago when we were in New York.” 
She sighed with relief.  Cole and Gina had only been married six years.   
“You make me think you don’t remember, Gina, if that is your real name.”  Gina stared horrified at him, but he burst out laughing.  “You should see your face, kiddo.  I’m just in a mood.  Don’t mind me.” 
Gina smiled tremulously.  She felt completely off balance and tried to think of a reason to escape this conversation.  Drew seemed much less charming than he’d been on the day he rescued her on their first meeting.  She could not put her finger on the underlying something she sensed from him.  Whatever it was, it was off-putting. 
Drew crowded her, his bearing intimate and clandestine.  “You know, we could strike up a little something even now.  We both know what a cold fish Drew has become, neglecting you for business.  Don’t think I haven’t noticed.” 
It was the second time someone had admitted to watching her actions.  She had better be more careful.  “Drew, I think—“ 
He put a finger to her lips, “No, don’t speak.  There’s no need.  I understand how you feel.” 
Gina gaped as Drew’s mouth lowered to hers.  He wasn’t going to kiss her right here in the hallway?  At the last second, she turned her head away but he, just as swift, turned it back and pressed his lips firmly against hers.  Gina decided to wait it out, allowing him his fun.  She didn’t struggle in his arms, which turned out to be a mistake. 
“Am I interrupting you two?”  The angry voice of her husband cut across her thoughts. 
Gina went stiff in Drew’s arms and then pulled away. 
Drew jerked with a start, a guilty look on his face.  The falseness of it was too obvious. 
“Cole, it’s not what you think.  I…” Drew’s voice trailed off. 
“Isn’t it?” 
Gina braced herself and turned to face her husband.  He was clearly angry.  His hands balled at his sides, jaw clenched so tight a nerve jumped in his neck.  His bearing demanded an explanation from her, but she remained silent, knowing any attempt would sound like a lie. 
“Go to your room,” he commanded. 
Her hands sprang to her hips, “You don’t tell me what to do.” 
She thought she heard a snicker from Drew behind her. 
Cole advanced forward, anger nearly transforming his face.  “You forget yourself, Gina.  Go to your room now!” 
She knew what he meant.  She was there to do a job and was getting paid well for it.  Fooling around with his partner was not a part of the deal.  It was better to take the low road in this case.  Gina turned on her heel and high-tailed it up to her room.   
Only after she was inside with the door locked behind her, did she remember that she hadn’t located the maid.  She began to wonder if the woman had the day off.  Somehow she doubted it.  If she was a Shift, she wasn’t getting fair treatment in this household. 
Probably surmising that Gina would lock her bedroom door, but forget the bathroom, Cole burst through to her room a few moments later from that access.  Gina was taken aback from his demeanor, still angry and almost hostile. 
“We have an agreement.  I don’t know why it’s so hard for you to abide by it, but perhaps I’ve chosen the wrong Shift!” 
Gina stood her ground, “I’m not an actress.  I find it hard to be the prissy little wife you want.” 
“Then maybe I should ask for my money back now.” 
“I can’t do that.  I’ve spent it.” 
Cole’s visage was full of disgust, “Of course.  Why should I have thought any differently?  You happily take the money, come across an ocean on one day’s notice to play a man’s wife.  Why should I think you have any honor at all?” 
“You hired me to do it!” 
Fire flamed in his eyes, “Exactly!  I hired you.  And if you want to be a slut, then do it on your own time, not mine.” 
She gasped, covering her mouth in shock. 
“And don’t bother crying.  I haven’t the time to stick around to comfort you.”  With that harsh remark, he pivoted on his heel and slammed out of her room. 
“Bastard!” she screamed after him. 
 
Twenty minutes later, Gina had changed and was headed for a ferry that would take her to Taquil.  She needed off this island like nobody’s business.  Getting out from under the men and the insufferable Claudia was paramount.  Besides, she hadn’t been able to locate the maid and had decided she was off.  Maybe a day of shopping would cool her anger with Cole.  Running up a bill on the credit card he’d given her would definitely assuage that feeling, she thought with a satisfied grin. 
Taquil was tropical beauty at its finest.  Palm trees lined the narrow cobblestone streets and tiny-whitewashed shops sold anything imaginable on every corner.  Gina enjoyed darting from one clothing shop to the next, sorting through the vibrant colors of western wear as well as the native dress.  Deliberately, she purchased several pairs of pants. 
Of course she was not foolish enough to forget the time.  She had allocated two and a half hours on Taquil before heading back to John’s Island on the afternoon ferry.  She was just deciding on exploring still another store, figuring she had plenty of time, when she spotted the maid on the other side of the street. 
Gina darted wildly into the road, barely avoiding being hit by small bus.  It was a good thing society was slower here.  Tourists and natives lined the streets, stepping out whenever the mood stuck them.  The motorists were obviously used to it and drove slowly. 
She pushed her way through the crowd in time to see the maid disappear inside a small grocery.  So she didn’t have the day off.  She had been doing errands.  Gina should have thought of that possibility. 
Well now she knew where she was, and it was probably a good thing that it was away from the house.  It meant they were less likely to be overheard. 
Gina pulled open the weathered door, with blue chipped paint flaking off onto her shoulder.  She brushed it away and then bumped her head on the tiny bell hanging above the doorway.  Wasn’t that rung by the door opening, not the customer’s head? 
She glanced around the store.  It was not very big and she didn’t expect it to be difficult to locate the maid.  There were only a few others present—all natives.  Gina figured with her pale skin, she stuck out like a sore thumb.  However, no one paid her any mind. 
She strolled from aisle to aisle, glancing down each.  The maid was nowhere in sight.  She stopped.  Surely she’d seen her come in here.  And Gina was still near the door.  The maid would have been unmistakable had she decided to leave.  Where was she? 
Again, Gina walked along each aisle.  And then she spotted her, coming from a back room and looking furtive, Gina thought.  Determined, she advanced on the maid. 
“Hello!” 
The maid stopped, stunned.  “Mrs.” 
Gina nodded, as if confirming her identity.  “I was looking for you.” 
The maid paled.  Her gaze darted wildly around the small store.  “You followed me?”  She was clearly afraid of something or someone.  
Gina glanced over her own shoulder, wondering if there was anyone about to attack.  As far as she could tell, no one in the store paid them any mind. 
“Why are you jumpy, um…?”  She waited for the maid to supply her name. 
“Jane.” 
Jane?   “I need to talk to you, Jane.” 
“No time, Mrs.  I have to go.” 
Gina reached out a hand to stop the maid’s hasty departure.  “Hold on.  Surely you can wait a minute.  I am a guest of your boss.  Your orders to see to my needs still stand, though we’re on Taquil.” 
She noted the flash of defiance in the woman’s eyes before it was suppressed.  So she wasn’t completely cowed, Gina thought.  Good.  Maybe in her irritation, she’d be willing to share a little knowledge. 
Gina tried again, “How about I buy you lunch, Jane?  What I have to say is really very important.” 
The maid was already shaking her head, “I’m sorry, Mrs.  I’m on a tight schedule.  I have to get back.  If I’m late again…” 
“What?  If you’re late, what?” Gina asked desperately. 
“Nothing.”  The maid started forward. 
Gina seeing her chance slip away, stumbled closely behind her to whisper in her ear, “I know you’re a Shift.” 
The maid stopped dead, causing Gina to barrow into her back.  She righted herself quickly and waited for the woman’s response.  Jane’s back was a mass of quivering nerves.  She shook so hard, Gina felt sorry for blurting out her deductions.  Apparently, Jane was worried about being punished.  Probably by the same lout who’d cuffed her at the mouth of that hill cave. 
“I can help you,” she blurted. 
Jane shook her head.  “No, actually, you can’t.  No one can.”  And with that she rushed outside.  Gina followed quickly, but the woman was lost in the crowd.  She glanced up and down the street, but couldn’t see the black loose-fitting dress anywhere.  There remained flowing shades of vibrant colors fluttering in the slight breeze.  Gina slumped with defeat.  Now what would she do? 
After searching half-heartedly down a few more streets, Gina finally decided it was time to go.  She wouldn’t find the maid in this crowd if she didn’t want to be found.  For all Gina knew, the woman could be hiding out in one of the shops watching her until she was gone.  There were just too many to search and her time was short. 
She headed back toward the docks, walking slowly and deep in thought.  Before she’d gone too far, a man linked arms with her.  His pockmarked face reflected his cruelty and Gina felt a shiver run through her at his blank eyes.  They were the eyes of a killer.  She tried to pull away, without success. 
“Mrs. Stevens.” 
She gasped, surprised that he knew her name. 
He smiled friendly enough, but the warmth didn’t reach those dead eyes.  “Mrs. Stevens.  You’d do well to mind your own business.” 
“I—“ 
He tsked, shushing her.  “No, no.  We’re agreed, aren’t we?  Mind your business and you will not be harmed.” 
Gina’s throat went dry.  She’d just been threatened, in broad daylight, on this beautiful vacation spot.  It couldn’t be happening to her.  Danger of this magnitude was not a part of her life.  Her cases were small, unimportant things.  Nothing like this.  Was this about the maid?  The hill?  She believed it was. 
Somehow, she nodded her agreement and the man released her arm.  He tipped an imaginary hat and disappeared in the crowd.  Gina swung her head this way and that, but couldn’t spot him.  They were good at that…disappearing. 
With no hesitation, Gina made her way as fast as she could back to the docks.  The mysterious man would not need to tell her again.  Suddenly, she was desperate to get back to John’s Island and locked in her room, though she couldn’t really feel safe until she was home again. 
 
Back on John’s Island, with time to put away her clothes before her rest, Tara dragged up the stairs to her room.  Her thoughts were weighted rehearsing the maid’s and the mysterious man’s words.  She longed to discuss this whole affair with someone, but the only person she trusted implicitly was miles away and couldn’t help. 
She kicked closed her bedroom door and tossed her bags on the bed.  Reaching up behind her head, she pulled out the comb holding the long blond hair in a neat little bun.  As Gina shook out her hair, her body elongated and the blond became black.  She began pulling items she’d purchased from the bags, excitement at new clothing coursing through her. 
Hands suddenly tangled in her hair and pulled her head backward.  Cole’s mouth closed over hers as he swung her to face him, pressing her firmly against his length.  She submitted, as hungry for his touch as he seemed to be for hers.  What did it matter that his temperament changed like the weather.  Just let him kiss her.  She moaned against his mouth. 
He released her abruptly.  Tara stumbled back onto the bed and blinked up at him.  His attention was on her purchases, a frown marring his striking features yet again.  Tara braced herself for the storm. 
“What do we have here, Tara?”  His fingers flicked at the material of a pair of violet capris.  She loved purple. 
“Nothing much.  Just some clothes.” She tried easing the pants away from him.  “You did say to shop.” 
His face cleared but he held on to the pants, “Of course I did.  And you are completely free to do so.  But what else did I tell you?” 
She frowned, “I’m not a child, Cole.” 
“What else?” 
She grunted, annoyed.  He was so arrogant!  “You said you’d go through my bags.  Is that why you barged into my room, without so much as knocking?” 
Cole had emptied a bag and was refilling it with only the pants she’d bought.  “No, I did that because you were foolish enough not to lock your door.  Anyone could have caught you changing.” 
“You saw me change?”  She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. 
He stopped his rummaging.  “Yes, why wouldn’t you want anyone to see?” 
“Because it’s…private.” 
He glanced down at her, unspeaking. 
“Only Coltech sees me transform.” She said it deliberately wanting to gauge his reaction. 
She was doomed to wait.  Cole’s expression didn’t alter.  “You are very beautiful.  I’ve said it before.  It was fascinating watching you, like you were rapidly changing your clothes.”  He shook his head, “Even that dress hangs differently on you now.” 
Tara was tongue-tied for the moment.  She was not impervious to his compliments.  It felt good to know he thought her beautiful.  Some had accused her people of being little more than animals.  Of course he could be faking, lulling her into a false security with him. 
She returned her own attention to the clothes and emptied the bag of pants again onto the bed.  “I decide what I wear, Cole.  Not you.” 
“No.” 
She sighed, “Can‘t you be reasonable, dammit?” 
“Watch you mouth, Tara.” 
“Dammit, dammit, dammit.”  She was being childish now, but didn’t care. 
Cole turned, swiped her up off of her feet and down onto the bed.  He followed quickly, pinning her beneath him.  Tara fought, thinking he was about to hit her, but he pinned her hands above her head.  One knee pressed down, separating her legs.  She felt his arousal against her stomach and her body lit on fire, consumed with desire for him.  Cole’s mouth descended and Tara lifted her head to meet him. 
For long moments they kissed, savoring.  Tara suckled at Cole’s bottom lip and teased it with the tip of her tongue.  His kisses trailed a blaze to her neck, to her cleavage, biting at the buttons of her dress.  Tara lay still, submitted to his will.  Without warning, he rolled away from her. 
He stood, gathered up the pants in a bag, and marched purposefully for the bathroom door.  Once there, he twisted his head back, a self-satisfied look upon his face.  “Wear that blue dress you bought tonight at dinner.” 
Tara sat fuming, “You can’t control me, Cole!” 
“Watch me!”  He was gone. 
Tara flipped over onto her stomach and buried her face in her pillow.  She screamed and kicked her feet for all she was worth.  The man drove her insane.  He was impossible, a jerk, an ass! Dammit, dammit, dammit! 
 
A few hours later, Tara dragged her aching bones from the bed.  She would be late for dinner if she didn’t get a move on.  And she was still tired.  All afternoon she’d dreamt of making love with Cole.  Her body burned, ached for him. 
She stood listlessly in the shower, allowing the cool water to calm her body.  It hadn’t been fair of him to get her riled like that and then drop her cold.  She was not inexperienced.  She knew he’d been turned on himself.  How could he deny it? 
“He’s determined to show he has the upper hand,” she grumbled into the empty shower.  “But he doesn’t.  No man will ever have that over me.” 
She stepped from the shower and quickly dried her slender frame.  She smiled, satisfied seeing her rich brown skin again.  Gina was indeed a beautiful woman, but Tara missed herself.  She swiped a hand across the fogged mirror and admired her wide black eyes, slow blinks.  She’d never wondered if she blinked so slowly because of their size. 
Now she chuckled softly.  It was funny sometimes when she tried fluttering her eyes coyly in human form.  The tiny lids got away from her and she ended up looking like she was a psycho with a tick.  It was a good thing the domineering Cole hadn’t insisted she do that. 
Remembering his high-handedness, Tara padded barefoot into her room and examined the blue dress laid out on a chair.  Cole had obviously entered her room again to give her an additional hint on what to wear.  She made a mental note to confront him about his disabling the lock on the inside of her bathroom door.  He had no right.  She would have locked him out of the bathroom completely if she thought he wouldn’t break the door off its hinges.  He was…very big. 
Gina was just slipping a vibrant red dress down over her hips when she heard a knock on her door.  She hesitated. 
“Two seconds and I’m coming in.” Cole called. 
She waited and true to his word, he stepped in from the bathroom. 
“Just as I thought.” 
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”  She moved to slip on her matching shoes. 
Cole yanked open the closet door and disappeared.  Seconds later, he was back with silver high-heeled sling backs.  Gina crossed her arms in front of her in defiance.  She would not be bullied. 
He wasn’t moved, “You have one minute before I change your clothes myself.” 
“You wouldn’t do that!” 
“Wouldn’t I?” 
Yes, he would.  “Get out!  I’m not changing in front of you.”  Not that she didn’t want to be naked before him.   
“I stay here until you’re changed.” 
“Cole, you’re being unreasonable.” 
He didn’t answer. 
“At least turn your back,” she conceded. 
“Fine.” 
 
When Cole seated Gina at the dining table, she was still angry.  He’d won this round, but she’d get him back soon enough.  Two could play this game.  She was used to running her life her way, and no human male would change it.  Cole would see he wasn’t dealing with some silly little princess. 
She glared across the table at him, hoping she was conveying all of her dislike in that look.   
“Uh oh, trouble in paradise,” Drew quipped. 
“Trouble?” John looked up from his plate, a questioning look in his eyes. 
Gina wondered how the man could run a large corporation, as he was reputed to do.  To her, he always looked preoccupied with something. 
Cole brushed it off, “Nothing important.  T-Gina and I had a small disagreement, but we’ve resolved it.  We’re as happy as ever.” 
Even she didn’t believe that little speech.  And he’d been about to call her Tara.  A small thrill shot threw her.  He was beginning to see her as herself, even when she looked identical to his wife.  Still, he would have to be put in his place, she laughed silently. 
Gina glanced around the table at the men—John, Cole and Drew.  Which one of them was hurting Shifts, or were they all involved?  Her gaze fell on Cole again.  She hoped he wasn’t in on it, but that letter in the cave could not be denied.  And there was still the matter of him and Claudia.   
Cole must have felt her watching him for he looked up and they stared at one another.  Gina found she couldn’t look away.  His grey eyes captured her as surely as he’d done it on her bed earlier.  She didn’t understand him, his need to control her.  He was different from male Shifts—so strong, so confident.  It had always turned her off.  And yet she couldn’t deny the fact that even now she longed to climb across the dining room table and fall into his arms.  She wanted to straddle him and feel him deep inside her again. 
His eyes widened as if he’d read her mind.  The brows snapped down in a frown and Gina knew she was being censored.  She grinned saucily.  You want me, Cole.  You know you do. 
“Somebody’s all hot and bothered,” Drew whispered provocatively in her ear. 
Gina didn’t know why she’d been sat next to Drew again, but here was her opportunity to get back some of her own.  Cole was positioned directly across from her and would be an unwilling spectator to her performance. 
She twisted to face Drew, prepared to flirt.  “How could I not be, so many handsome men surrounding me?” 
Drew laughed, “Mmm, and why do I get the feeling I’m being used to make your husband jealous?” 
Gina feigned innocence, widening her eyes, “Me?” 
“Yes you.” Drew’s eyes fell to her cleavage.  “But I don’t mind a bit.” 
She tittered prettily, all femininity, sure that both men found that type of woman highly diverting.  If Gina didn’t know she was making Cole boil with jealously, she’d vomit at her performance.  She hated the delicate female, unable to do anything for herself.  She needed a man to make all of her decisions.  Such was not what this woman was made of.  But now was a time for payback.  And so she pushed those thoughts from her mind.  She’d tease and simper until Drew was panting and Cole spontaneously combusted. 
Dinner soon ended and Drew ignored the woman John had invited to the island to entertain him.  Instead, he offered his arm to Gina for a stroll outside in the moonlight.  She accepted, resisting the urge to make sure Cole was watching. 
“So, Lovely Gina, what are you up to?” 
“Me?” 
“Yes, I know you’re just teasing Cole.  You always did prefer him to me.” Drew’s voice was sad and Gina felt guilty for using him. 
“I’m sorry, Drew.  I don’t want to hurt you.”  She tried pulling away.  “I should probably go back inside.” 
“No.”  He held her firmly, “I will be selfish and keep you to myself a little longer.” 
It was only fair.  “Ok, what shall we discuss?” 
“Shifts.” 
Gina stumbled.  “What?” 
“Bad subject?”  He squeezed her hand.  “No, don’t pull away from me.  One would think you were soft on Shifts…or are one.” 
She shivered in the moonlight, “Don’t be silly.  I mean.  I don’t think there’s anything wrong with them.  They have a right here as anybody else.” 
Drew gawked, “It’s our planet.  Why should they have a right?” 
“I mean there’s room for everyone.” 
“Soft-hearted Gina.  Always worried about every little stray animal that comes her way.” 
Now she yanked her hand away violently.  “Shifts are not animals, Drew.  I can’t believe you would say that.” 
“I didn’t mean it, darling.  Come here.”  
Gina moved away from him, walking ahead along the path leading to the beach.  She didn’t feel like dealing with his jibes tonight.  Besides, since Cole wasn’t there to view her flirting, it wasn’t as fun.  She’d gotten him back.  It was enough and she wanted to be alone. 
She cut around a curve, flipped her shoes off into her hand and ran along the path.  Instead of heading straight to this beach, she took a less traveled path to the other shoreline she’d found previously.  It was further away and she had to be extra careful not to tear her new dress.  She was pretty sure Drew wouldn’t know where she’d gone. 
It worked.  Fifteen minutes later when he didn’t pop up on the path, she knew she’d lost him.  Gina dropped her shoes in the sand and walked barefoot to the water’s edge.  The cool spray rushed over her toes and she dug deep into the sand.  Her body temperature dropped to accept the cold, and she was at once comfortable. 
His fingers were there on her neck, massaging gently.  He pulled the pins from her hair and let it fall loose on her back. 
“Change,” he demanded. 
She did, the golden tresses darkening in his hand.  He pressed it against his face, breathing in the scent of her apple shampoo. 
“You’ve made me very angry.” 
“I know.” 
“You feel I deserved it for how I treated you earlier?” 
“Yes.” 
Cole turned her in his arms, dragging her hard against him.  “What I deserve, Tara, is this.”   
He slid a hand beneath her dress, along her inner thigh.  Tara quivered, biting down on her lip.  She allowed her head to loll backward when his hand made contact with the moist wetness between her legs.   
“I deserve this,” he muttered and his fingers curled around the band of her panties.  Tara heard the delicate material tear as he ripped it downward. 
“Cole.” 
He placed a hand to her cheek, “Don’t fight me, Tara.  Give me what I want.” 
She nodded weakly, “Yes.” 
 
Chapter Seven 
 
Tara sat up on Cole, her naked skin glistening with sweat in the moonlight.  She glanced down at him.  He seemed as satisfied as she, for the moment.  Their lovemaking had been as hot as the first time, each almost violent in their desperate need for fulfillment. 
She stroked his heaving chest, threading her fingers through the soft golden hair covering it.  “Well?  Was that good for you?” 
“You know it was.” 
Tara looked away to the full moon and back again, “I’m sure it wasn’t necessary to rip my panties.” 
He chuckled, “You know you liked it.  Don’t deny it.” 
“I might have.” 
“You did.” 
Tara moved to roll off of him, but he stayed her.  “Don’t.  I like you there.” 
She sighed, “Why do you feel you have to dominate me, Cole?  I don’t understand human men.” 
“That goes without question.” 
“What the hell does that mean?”  She tried again to lift her hips, but he held on. 
“Don’t get so angry, Tara.  I just mean, you think you can dominate me, just as you dominate Coltech.” 
“You don’t know anything about Coltech.” 
He reached up and fondled her bare breast.  Tara tried but couldn’t prevent her body’s reaction.  The nipple hardened at his touch.   
“I know that Shift men are inferior to Shift women, or rather regarded as such.  And you’re under the foolish impression that you can treat me the same.  Sorry, princess, I’m not that kind of man.” 
Tara shoved his hand from her breast, effectively halting the delicious tingles he’d been releasing into her.  “So you think to counter me.  You’ll be the one in control?  You, Cole, are delusional if you think I’ll give in to you.  I may like having sex with you, but that’s all it is.  Good sex.  And I can get that just about anywhere.” 
She saw his anger, roiling within those steely eyes.  He hated her bluntness.  Tough.  He could come back to reality.  She was not Gina, nor would she ever be.  If Cole held back his sexual favors because of her boldness, so be it.  There was always Drew.  Tara had the feeling he wouldn’t turn he down should she proposition him. 
“Ok.” 
“What?” 
“I said ok.  Your turn.  Show me what you have…or are you too afraid?” 
Tara beamed.  He hadn’t rejected her again as she’d expected.  The desire she felt for Cole was powerful, sometimes overwhelming.  It could be that he felt the same thing. 
“Why are you giving in to me so easily?  In fact, why did you have sex with me at all?  That first time you said you couldn’t do it because you were married.” 
He was quiet, the eyes hooded.  Tara wondered at that. 
“I was served.” 
“Served?” 
“With divorce papers.” 
“Oh.  I’m sorry, Cole.  Truly.” 
“Are you?” He lifted her from his lap and placed her on a small square of his now sandy shirt. 
She nodded.  “Of course I’m sorry.  I know that must hurt.  I suppose you love her.” 
He didn’t deny it.  Tara felt a pang of disappointment.  She waited for him to respond. 
He shrugged, “It was inevitable.  We were growing apart.  She had her lover.” 
Tara placed a comforting hand on his arm.  She didn’t know the words to say.  It was so foreign to her, the customs of humans.  They divorced so quickly, so often.  Even the act of marriage was a mystery.  Getting married was unheard of on her home planet.  Commitment was a different matter.  Bonding was vital. 
He spoke again on a heavy sigh, “Well, I signed the papers.  As soon as she goes to court, the judge signs off and I’m a free man again.” 
Tara sat puzzling the situation.  What would he do now? 
“Why do you look so confused, Tara.” 
“Because I don’t understand marriage and divorce.” 
“Do they not have it where you’re from?” 
She shook her head.  “No.  We don’t get married or divorced.  We commit and then bond. 
Cole’s attention dropped to her breasts again.  He reached out to cup one as if he was not aware of his movements.  “Tell me about commitment and bonding.” 
Tara felt her desire creeping up again.  Every time he touched her, she responded.  Her body seemed in sync with his.  She forced herself to concentrate on their conversation. 
“A female Shift chooses a male.  She lives with him a while to see if he’s good.  If she finds him satisfying, she commits to him.  After that, they bond.  When there is a bonding, it is normally for life.  Of course occasionally she will come across another male she wants.  At that time, she may choose to take him also, or release the first.” 
Cole was incredulous and Tara laughed. 
“You cannot be telling me he has no say in the matter.  He is no better than a slave.” 
“Don’t be stupid, Cole.  Of course he has say.”  Somewhat.  She hadn’t thought of their culture as being unfair to the males until she’d come to Earth and met Cole.  His attempt at dominating her had opened her eyes.  Possibly her people’s social structure was not the best way.  Course she had noticed plenty of room for improvement in Cole’s society also, especially this divorce thing. 
“You’re telling me you don’t have marriage, but a female Shift can have as many males as she wants that she’s bonded with?” 
“No, that’s crazy.  She can only bond with one at a time.” 
“What exactly is bonding?” 
Tara hesitated.  She felt she was exposing not just her people, but herself to Cole’s ridicule.  He wouldn’t understand their ways and would probably belittle her. 
He seemed to read her mind yet again.  His strong fingers curled gently under her chin and he ran a thumb lightly over her lips.  “I just want to understand who you are.  I won’t judge.  I promise.” 
She was skeptical.  He’d done a good job of that so far. 
“I promise,” he said again. 
“When a female Shift chooses her man, she then bonds with him.  They mate and on some level—I’m not sure where—they become almost as one.  They are connected.  He is able to sense her emotions.  It helps him to please her in all areas.” 
“And what does she give him?” 
Tara glared at him. 
“I’m not judging, only asking.” 
She pinned him with her stare, deciding on whether to continue.  “She cares for him.  She brings home the bacon, as they say.” 
“Ah, the traditional role of being the husband.  He being the wife.” 
“I guess you can put it like that.  But it’s different.” 
“If you say so.” 
“Cole.” 
“Okay, okay.”  Again he reached for her breasts. 
“Why do you keep doing that?” 
“Doing what?” he was distracted, staring down at her body. 
“Grabbing my breasts.” 
He laughed and cupped them both in his hands.  “You’ve got to be kidding, woman.  These breasts are...” 
“What?” 
“They’re big…and firm.  I can’t keep my eyes and hands off of them.  Your nipples are…” 
Tara arched her back, giving him greater access.  “My nipples are what?” 
“Long.  How can they be so perfect?” 
She moaned, gratified with his desire for her.  “They are no better than any other’s.” 
His eyes widened, “Are you saying all Shift women have breasts like this?” 
Jealously reared its ugly head, “I don’t know.  No.  You don’t need to think about it with my breasts in your hands.” 
He laughed, “Calm down, my feisty woman.  I was just curious.” 
She grumbled, “Curiosity will get you hurt.” 
Cole’s eyes were full of merriment, “By you?  Think you can take me?” 
“No.  I guess I can’t.” 
He reached out and pulled her back onto his lap.  “Don’t worry.  When this is over, I will give you lessons in defending yourself.” 
She gasped and hugged his neck, “You will?  You promise, Cole?  Please.” 
“Yes, beautiful.  I will.  Now where were we?”   
He buried his head against her breasts, his tongue playing with her tightened buds.  Tara forgot self-defense and gave herself to the pleasure of knowing Cole.  His warm flesh in the cool night air was a contrast that sent her body temperature reeling, confused of where it would settle.  She didn’t care as long as he touched her, drank from her passion for him. 
“Cole, lay back.”  She pushed him down onto the sand and was delighted to find he would submit as promised. 
Tara explored his taut flesh, so muscled and toned.  She ran her hands along the contours of his legs and paused at his groin.  Her gaze flicked to his face.  His eyes were closed as he enjoyed her touch.  Tara felt her power grow. 
Again, she examined him.  Cole’s shaft was already think and long again.  She’d never met a man always so ready without the slightest encouragement.  She liked that.  It matched her own tireless hunger. 
She bent closer, fascinated by his male anatomy.  Her fingers stroked him, tugged.  Cole’s grunt told her she was bringing him to a head.  But she wouldn’t allow that until she was ready.  She stopped her movements and he protested. 
“Tara, you’ve got to kidding me, baby.” 
She chuckled, “Who’s in charge here?” 
“Tara.” 
Ignoring his weak plea, she bent to run the tip of her tongue over his nipples, teasing him as he’d teased her.  She stroked his stomach and slid her hand lower.  Knowing it would make him hope to be fondled there again.  She stopped midway and slid her hand up to his chest.  The silky feel of his chest hair pleased her and she brushed her own nipples in it without touching her skin to his. 
“You’re determined to torment me, aren’t you?” 
“I’m innocent.” 
“You weren’t innocent the day you were born.” 
Her eyes challenged him, “Maybe not.  But there’s one thing I want right now, Cole.” 
“What’s that?” 
She pointed wantonly between her legs, “Your head right here.  And I want to explode!” 
“Brassy woman!”  But he wasn’t displeased.  Cole moved to obey.  Tara threw back her head and waited for his long, expert tongue.  She’d never enjoyed it like this.  Cole was so skilled, so in tune with what she wanted. 
His tongue delved inside and Tara felt herself begin to boil.  He wasn’t satisfied with the position they were in, Tara leaning backward while Cole lay between her legs.  He gripped her hips, still pleasuring her, and lifted her so that he was on his back and she straddled him.  The simple move had Tara digging her fingers into the sand above his head and bucking wildly. 
Her hair fell in a long black sheet across her face.  She whimpered and trembled as he drove his tongue deeper, flicked and sucked.  She gasped and cried out. 
“Cole!” 
Before he could bring her to the point of no return, she pulled herself free of his mouth and slid drunkenly down his torso.  Finally, her throbbing body made the connection with his and Cole plunged hard into her.  She whined again.  
It could not get better than this, she thought.  Nothing could be this satisfying.  She felt herself melting into him, her will meshing with his own for their satisfaction.  She would not have known where she ended and he began, had she been asked at that moment.  All she wanted was to be there, intertwined with him, their bodies one entity. 
“Cole, I think.” 
“Shh, no.  Don’t speak, darling.  I know.” 
She lay down against him to rest.  His arms encircled her and gave her a feeling of comfort and security.  She was not aware she’d been without them. 
Tara yawned and opened her sleepy eyes to glance around her into the night.  Worn and satiated, she didn’t expect to see the face staring out at her from the trees, not thirty feet away. 
She screamed and sat up. 
“Wha—?”  Cole came awake.  “What’s wrong, Tara?” 
She pointed.  “I saw someone right there, watching us.” 
Cole moved her to the sand beside him and tossed her dress over her.  She clutched it still staring at the branches of the surrounding bush swaying back and forth since the watcher had left in a hurry. 
Cole slid into his pants in seconds and was running toward the spot, muttering a “stay here” over his shoulder. 
“Where are you going?  It’s dangerous out there, Cole.”  Tara remembered all too well her last experience in the dark.  She was not in a hurry to repeat it.  But she didn’t want Cole out there either. 
She dressed swiftly, calculating whether she should attempt changing to Gina.  Possibly a human form could keep her safer while she searched for Cole.  When she reached the edge of the trees, he was nowhere in sight.  She had to risk it. 
Tara transformed as quickly as her befuddled brain would allow and plunged into the darkness. 
“Cole!  Cole, where are you?” 
No answer.  Gina wandered deeper into the foliage.  A moment before, she thought she’d heard someone running to the right, but chasing behind, she’d found nothing.  Now there were no sounds in the dim light except the sound of crickets off in the distance.  She was beginning to get nervous.  Doubt clouded her mind. 
What if Cole had set this whole thing up?  He’d seduce her and then leave her in the night to be attacked.  Perhaps the watcher was working with him?  Did they know she’d found the cave? 
Gina stood stock still.  She felt her eyes ripple.  She needed to calm down.  In all the rush, she had no idea where she was.  Another stupid flaw, she thought angrily.  Her sense of direction was not to be relied upon.   
She considered her options.  Perhaps if she mimicked another human form, it would give her a few seconds to get away if someone found her.  While they wondered if she was a threat, she’d escape.  It was worth a try. 
She cleared her mind and recalled a woman she’d mimicked a year ago.  She’d had flaming red hair and was at least six inches shorter.  The energy it would take to shorten her legs would have to be sacrificed, but it was a necessary precaution.  Minutes later, the change complete, she set off to find Cole. 
 
Tina’s feet hurt.  She’d been walking around this god-forsaken jungle in the dark for at least an hour.  No one was out here.  She should be back in her bed, enjoying a long sleep or at least curled satisfyingly against her lover.  Instead, she was lost and there was no telling if she’d ever find her way or if anyone would find her. 
Suddenly, she heard voices in the distance.  She shuffled toward them, trying with little energy to keep quiet.  As she neared, the voices became clearer.  It was two men, arguing.  She inched closer, still unable to make out there words. 
Fear gripped Tina’s dry throat.  She clung weakly to the bark of a nearby tree, hoping her ears would somehow hear though she was still out of range.  Another step at this point was impossible. 
The men stood in the middle of a clearing.  Both had their backs toward her, the one nearest blocking her view of the other.  Tina fought to move closer, but it was no use.  All of her reserves were on maintaining this form.  If she transformed now, so close to danger, she might be caught.  She had to wait it out and hope they didn’t come toward her. 
Soon the argument ended and then men parted ways.  Tina still didn’t get a glimpse of the other man.  He’d ducked around the hill, hidden by the tree she held on to.  The other man was headed her way, but his familiar swagger flooded Tina with relief.  It was Cole. 
Before he reached her position, a new thought occurred to her.  Cole had been standing with the other man in front of the secret cave.  There was no way this was a coincidence.  He had to know about it.  And why would he be out here arguing with the man, even if it was their watcher, when he knew he’d left her on the beach for so long? 
Fear invaded her being.  If Cole caught her here, so close to the cave, he might feel obligated to keep her quiet about his secret—whatever that secret was.  She forced herself to move, inching on hands and knees away from him.  She crawled through stones and sticks, which bit into her soft skin.  But she resisted crying out. 
He was near.  She could hear him cracking the twigs underfoot.  He was making no attempt to cover himself.  Tina trembled with fear, certain she was about to die.  She dragged her worn frame behind another old tree and sat panting, waiting for new strength in order to get away. 
“Tara.  Tara, where are you?” 
He was moving nearer to her position.  Damn it, the man had good tracking skills. 
“Tara, darling.  Don’t be afraid.  It’s me, Cole.” 
She would be caught.  She had to think of something.  Clearing her throat, she called, “Hello.  I’ve gotten myself lost out here and can’t find my way.  Can you help me?”  Tina hoped he’d believe her story, not look too closely at the fact that this new woman had the same blue dress on as his mimicked wife. 
She peeked out around the tree, revealing only her head.  He stood a few steps away, hidden in shadow and looking menacing, she thought. 
“Tara.  Switch back.  You’ve been transformed too long today.  I don’t want you to get sick again.”  Cole came forward, crouched and picked her up in his arms. 
Stunned, Tina obeyed and rested in his arms.  She could not have held the form much longer anyway.  If Cole was going to hurt her, now would be the time.  Tara had no more strength to fight him off.  Resigned to her fate, she closed her eyes and promptly fell asleep. 
 
Sunlight streamed across Tara’s face, but she resisted waking.  She curled deeper beneath her comforter and scooted back against the warmth she sensed on the other side of the bed.  An arm snaked about her and pulled her back against a hard body. 
She stiffened, “Cole?” 
“You were expecting someone else?” 
Tara opened her eyes and looked around the room.  She was in Cole’s room, in his bed.  “How did I get here?” 
“I carried you.  You were asleep.” He pulled Tara onto her back and smiled down at her.  “I also undressed you.” 
Tara fidgeted and shifted away from him. 
“What’s wrong, Tara?  Why are you moving away from me?” 
She sat up, pulling her dress from a nearby chair.  “I think I need to go back to my room.” 
“What?” He tugged at her arm.  “Tara, what’s going on?” 
She pulled away again, “Nothing.” 
“You’re lying.”  Cole caught her as she passed through the bathroom.  “Tara.” 
Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.  “Please, Cole.” 
He shook his head, but held on to her.  “Ok.  I won’t push.  But you have to shower with me.”  He wiggled his brows suggestively. 
Tara considered refusing, but thought he’d pursue again why she was so distant.  It seemed safer to comply.  “Ok.” 
“Well don’t sound so enthusiastic!” 
“Cole?” 
“Yes?” 
She hesitated.  “Who was the man you were arguing with last night?” 
He hedged.  She saw it and feared. 
“What man?” 
“When I walked up, you were arguing with someone, but I couldn’t see who it was.  Who was it? 
He stepped into the shower, taking her with him, “Tara, I don’t recall another man.  I chased after the looker you said you saw, but lost him in the trees.” 
She stared up at him, incredulous that he was lying still.  “I can’t believe you, Cole.  I saw you.  I was tired, but I know I saw you and him.  What is going on here?” 
He froze.  “What do you mean by ‘what is going on here,’ Tara?” 
She refused to answer, “You answer my question, and I’ll answer yours.” 
Cole pulled her against him beneath the spray of warm water.  His hands slid slowly down over her hips and behind, driving himself closer.  “How about we agree to let the matter drop for now.” 
“I—“ 
“Trust me, Tara.  I know it’s a lot to ask, but please trust me.” 
The cool grey eyes held hers, waiting for her answer.  Tara searched her heart.  Could she trust him?  There were so many unanswered questions.  He could be having an affair with Claudia, though she had no real proof.  He could be involved in something illegal, something involving Shifts.  Yet, he was asking her to trust him? 
“Tara?” 
“Ok, Cole.  I will trust you.  But you better not betray me.  You’ve not seen a woman Shift when she’s getting her revenge.” 
“Have I not?  What was that last night with Drew?” he grinned. 
“That was child’s play compared to what I will do to you.”  Tara gave him a small punch on the shoulder. 
In response, Cole lifted off her feet, sliding her slowly down along his body.  Sparks of pleasure exploded inside her.  “Cole stop!  We’ll slip and fall.” 
“Are you frightened, darling?  Don’t worry.  I’ll always take care of you.” 
“I can take care of myself,” she told him, only half-heartedly.  Sometimes he did come in handy.  “But you can meet some of my more important needs.” 
“You’re so generous.” 
 
Tara sat up in her bed following her afternoon rest.  She'd been forced to spend the day alone as Cole had work to do.  Just because they were lovers now, it was foolish of her to think he'd be in her pocket.    "If he were a Shift, he would," she thought, annoyed. 
She pushed herself to her feet and was walking toward the bathroom, when she heard a rustling beneath her door.  Tara paused.  Someone was shoving a slip of paper inside.  The paper crumpled and jammed against the thick carpet repeatedly.  Tara considered putting the poor person out of their misery by opening the door, but decided against it.  If he or she wanted to be clandestine in their communication with her, who was she to spoil the fun. 
She returned to her bed and sat down to watch.  The sheet slid in an inch, caught, and slid out.  Finally, she tiptoed to the door, brushed down the carpet and the small note sailed inside.  Immediately the unseen person darted down the hall, their hurried steps echoing noisily. 
Tara returned to her bed with the note.  It was obviously scrawled quickly, a woman's handwriting.  "Mrs., please meet me in the east garden at four-thirty.  Tell no one." 
There was no signature as to who she should meet, but Tara didn't need one.  She was sure it was the maid.  She and the cook were the only ones in this household who called her "Mrs."  And as far as Tara knew, the cook never ventured above stairs. 
This had to be about her visit to Taquil and the fear the maid displayed there.  Possibly whoever was threatening Jane had pushed her too far and she was ready to get help.  She had to be aware that John was not sympathetic to Shifts.  She could not know whether Drew and Cole would feel the same.  Her best bet must have been put on Gina.  Claudia, with her mania for men, didn't bear considering. 
Tara glanced at her clock radio.  It was a quarter to four now.  If she hurried, she could make it in time to meet with the maid.  A twinge of worry tugged at the back of her mind.  Momentarily, she thought of Cole.  Surely, he would be willing to help.  Once one got past the icy exterior, he was as fiery as she was herself.  No.  She'd do this on her own.  If the maid merely wanted to cry over a lost love or it was some other type of domestic dispute, Cole wouldn't look kindly on Tara disturbing his business. 
Forty minutes later, she was dressed and ready for her meeting in the east garden.  The one problem with that being she had no idea which garden was east, let alone north south and west. 
As she glided down the stairs in search of someone to direct her, Gina glanced down at her clothes.  At least she was more comfortably dressed.  Satisfying Cole sexually had resulted in his allowing her to wear her new capris.  That is, as long as she didn't do it in his presence.  She smiled and shook her head.  She'd teach that man about the ways of a woman before too long.  And if it meant many more nights in his bed, so be it.  A woman had to do what was necessary to demonstrate her independence.  She laughed out loud as she exited the side door and stepped out into the warm sunshine.  Cole didn't know what he was getting himself into. 
 
Gina searched each side of the house one after another, meeting no one on the way.  When she was a good six minutes late for her meeting, she remembered the sun.  Hadn’t it been said that the sun rose in the east and set in the west? 
“My sense of direction is ridiculous,” she chastised herself and peered cautiously toward the massive ball of fire.  The east was toward the side of the house nearest the closest beach.  She quickened her step toward it, hoping that Jane hadn’t gotten tired of waiting or assumed she wasn’t coming. 
Fortunately, a few minutes later, the maid was still there.  Gina hurried up to her explaining, “Jane, I’m sorry I’m late.  I couldn’t find a soul around here to tell me where the east garden was.  I’ve been bumbling around this greenery for ever.” 
Jane was not paying much attention.  Her gaze was just to the right of Gina’s face.  She made no attempt to answer, instead her trembling fingers fiddled with the buttons on her sweater and she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. 
Gina was beginning to suspect the maid had set her up.  “Jane?  Please tell me you didn’t—“ 
Too late, Gina felt the second blow to her head and sparks shot before her eyes.  Before she collapsed in a heap at the woman’s feet, she saw the startled look of the maid as she watched Gina’s face.  The imposter wife knew immediately that her cover was blown as she lost the ability to mimic. 
 
Chapter Eight 
 
Something crawled across Tara’s cheek and she brushed it away with a sluggish hand, only half aware of the world around her.  Her head ached horribly as she sat up and opened her eyes. 
The cot she had been lying on was inside a small cage, not unlike a jail cell.  She peered between the bars with blurred vision to the room beyond.  A single table and chair sat against the dirt wall directly opposite her.  As far as she could tell, there was nothing else to see besides the door to exit the room. 
Tara stood on unstable legs and took the two or three steps to the bars imprisoning her.  “Hello?  Can anyone hear me?” 
The door opened slowly, and the maid’s head appeared around it.  Though she was in her true form, Tara knew it was her by the same ill-fitting dress and the serviceable shoes she wore. 
“You’re awake.  Good.” 
Tara nodded, “Yes, now let me out of here.” 
“I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”  Her voice was soft, harassed. 
Angry and humiliated, Tara yanked the bars of the cage door.  “I’m a Shift.  How can you treat your own kind this way?” 
The woman moved to the table and sat down.  Her shoulders were slumped in defeat.  “I have no choice.” 
“There’s always a choice.  Let me out!” 
“I said I cannot!  Leave it at that.”  Now the woman reached inside a small pouch Tara hadn’t noticed before.  She was removing a recording device. 
“What do you plan to do?” 
“You’ll see.” 
“You can’t get away with this.  My husband—“ 
“Your husband?” A sneer replaced the subservient expression the woman always wore.  “You don’t have a husband.  At least not Cole Stevens.  Or perhaps you mean your life-assistant, Coltech.” 
Tara gasped, afraid.  How could this traitor to Shiftkind know so much about her?  “What do you know?” 
The woman grinned, her black eyes full of resentment.  “It’s not what I know.  I’m not important.  It’s what they know.  And they always know—everything.” 
“Just who are they?” 
The maid didn’t answer.  She continued to dig through the pouch.  Tara noticed her remove her own cell phone, just as it began to ring.  Her heart constricted.  She knew it must be Coltech, sensing her trouble.  She stared hard at the pink phone, as if that would bring it to her desperate hands. 
Jane picked it up and studied it.  “So, he’s worried about you.” 
“Of course.  He knows what I feel.  He knows I’m in trouble.” 
The maid looked surprised at that revelation, “Does he really?” 
“Of course.”  Surely this woman knew of Shift ways.  They hadn’t been on this planet that long.  It was inconceivable that she was ignorant of the result of bonding. 
Jane replaced the phone on the table.  “Oh well, he won’t find you.  Not after they’re through.” 
“Who!”  Tara felt her stomach flutter.  This nightmare was too bizarre.  She had again examined the room and concluded that she was in the underground cave she’d explored previously.  It was obviously central headquarters of whatever illegal operation this “they” were conducting.  She had to get the maid to let her go, or at least tell her what was going on. 
“Jane, please.  You’ve got to help me.  We can leave here together.  I know someone who can keep us safe and stop these people who are making you do this.” 
She spat on the floor, “Don’t call me Jane!  My name is not Jane.” 
“But you told me, on Taquil, that your name is Jane.” 
The woman threw back her head and laughed heartily, “You still don’t get it do you?  Well, if you don’t know, I’m not going to enlighten you.  Now, let’s get to work.” 
Tara was completely confused.  If the stupid woman wasn’t called Jane, why did she say that was her name in the first place?  And what “business” did they have?  “What are you talking about?  Why can’t you tell me what’s going on?” 
“Too many questions will get you killed.”  She slid the table and chair closer to the cage.  “All that curiosity is what landed your ass in here in the first place.” 
“But I—“ 
“Don’t want to hear it, Mrs.” The false subservience grated on Tara’s raw nerves.  “Now, I’m going to ask you some questions, and you’re going to answer just what I tell you to answer.”  The woman gripped a sheet of paper between long slender fingers as she squinted down at the print. 
“No, I’m not.”  Tara was no one’s obedient slave. 
The phone jumped to life again on the table.  Jane—Tara could think of no other name to give her—glanced down at it impassively.  “I guess he’s really worried now.” 
Tara crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed.  “He will survive, as will I.” 
She shook her head.  “No, I don’t think you will.  See, when they are finished with you, they get rid of you.  That’s why you have to make yourself useful at all times.” 
“Which is what you’re doing, right?  Making yourself useful?” 
“Of course.  I have no wish to die.” 
“You’re a coward!  No female Shift is a coward!” Tara accused.  “You must be a half-breed or something.” 
“How dare you!” Jane surged to her feet and flung back the chair she’d been sitting in.  “I’m no half-breed!  My blood is pure!” 
“Really?”  Tara taunted, “Your eyes look a little small to me.” 
“You’ll pay for that remark!” 
Jane produced a set of keys and unlocked the cage.  She was a few inches taller than Tara, but just as lean.  Her long black hair was identical to Tara’s and her facial features were similar.  They could be twins, though Tara could easily see the differences. 
She advanced on Tara, with cruel intent in her eyes.  Tara stood her ground, while trying hard to conjure some way of overpowering her guard.  Jane raised her hand to slap Tara’s face and Tara bent low to avoid it.  Not sparing a second to formulate a plan, she barrowed forcefully into the maid and slammed her thin body into the cage bars. 
Jane’s breath escaped her body in a tortured exclamation.  Tara didn’t let up.  She crashed again into her assailant, causing Jane’s head to crack against the bars.  A moment later and the woman dropped to the floor, unconscious. 
Tara stood above her amazed.  She’d actually succeeded in overpowering someone for the first time in her life.  Of course, that someone was a Shift, no more capable of fighting well than Tara herself.  Still, she felt good.  The fight had been won and that’s all the mattered. 
Moving quickly, she dragged Jane over to the cot and hauled her bodily onto it.  She exchanged their clothes, dressing herself in the servant’s attire and Jane in the more stylish capris and blouse.  She’d miss them, but couldn’t afford to wear the clothes outside the room.  There was no telling who else was in this cave and she needed to reach the surface without incident. 
The dress was just as loose on her frame as it had been on Jane.  The capris hung away from Jane’s narrow waist and Tara sighed.  “We are a race of very slender women.  Nothing imaginative about our looks.  Probably why we can shift—to keep it interesting.” 
She darted from the cage and locked the door behind her.  Gathering up her phone, the recording device and other items on the table, she moved toward the door.  Now was the time to quickly come up with a reason why she needed to get out of the cave.  Nothing was coming to mind. 
Her phone rang again and Tara dug it from her pocket where she’d dropped it.  How could she be receiving calls underground anyway?  She blinked at the display.  It was Cole and she hesitated to answer. 
If he was involved in this whole thing, he’d know she was being held in this cave.  He’d alert the other guards and she’d be caught.  Then again, why would he be calling her if he already knew she was captured?  Confusion overwhelmed her, freezing her in place.  The phone stopped ringing. 
Finally she came to a decision.  She powered down her phone.  Her first priority had to be getting out of here.  She’d deal with her doubts about Cole after she knew she was safe. 
A stealthy peek into the hallway outside the room revealed no one in sight.  Tara started forward and then stopped.  While she looked a lot like Jane, she was obviously not the same height.  Tara had never mimicked a Shift, but lengthening her legs to match the unconscious maid’s was the best course. 
She glanced backward toward the cage and judged the length.  Four inches?  She closed her eyes and concentrated.  It would take extra effort considering she was tired and her head still hurt.  The legs grew longer swiftly and Tara was off down the hall, trying not to rush.   
The place was a maze!  Hall after dirty hall turned in various directions.  The only thing Tara could be pleased with was the fact that she’d yet to run into anyone.  She was so turned around now, if would be impossible to find her way to the surface or back to the room where she’d been held. 
Three halls led forward from the narrow one she stood in.  The air in each seemed just as dank and stale as where she’d been.  Nothing indicated the path she should take.  The only adornment on the walls were the dim intermittent lights, beneath which ran wiring she assumed was the reason she could get reception for her phone underground.  Other than that, nothing.  Her stomach became queasier with each step. 
“Lost your way, Shift?” 
Fear was a lump, lodged thickly in her throat.  Tara felt herself begin to tremble violently.  She recognized the voice.  There was no way she could ever forget it.  She didn’t turn toward him.  Her muscles refused to move. 
He stepped close behind her, “Did you hear me, Shift?  Where do you think you’re going?” 
“I—“ 
He gripped her arm cruelly and slung Tara around to face him.  The dead eyes of the man who’d threatened her with a smile bore into her, surely seeing that she was an imposter.  Yet, he didn’t mention it. 
“Well, Jane?”  He pronounced the name insultingly and Tara understood why the woman hated it.  It wasn’t her real name, obviously given to her by this evil man to belittle her. 
Tara knew her face registered her disdain and saw a gratified look in his eyes.  She tried pulling away, but his hand tightened on her arm as he dragged her closer to him.  “You know what Jane?  I hate Shifts.  You’re little more than animals.  Your big eyes are ugly and your skin is unnatural.” 
She gasped, offended. 
“Yet…”  
His rough hands reached for her rear and squeezed.  Tara tried pulling away again, but couldn’t break his hold.  His breath, as stale as the air around them, assaulted her nose and she turned her face away. 
“I may not like your kind, Jane, but I can’t deny the fact that I want you.”  The man pulled her closer against his bony body.  The feel of his arousal against her leg brought bile into her throat.  She longed to escape and searched hard for an excuse. 
“Y…you don’t want me.  I’m not your type,” she told him. 
“Who the hell are you to tell me what my type is?” His hold switched to her neck and he slammed her against the wall before pressing against her.  “I think I need to demonstrate to you just who is in charge here.” 
“It certainly isn’t you, Bates!” 
Bates’ grip loosened immediately and he stepped away from Tara.  His look of guilt and fear told her this other person was more dangerous to her well-being.  She had no new ideas of how to extricate herself from the situation.  Fortunately, the newcomer provided the solution. 
“You.  Jane is it?” 
Tara nodded, amazed at the power exuding from this woman.  She stood with her legs apart, muscles bulging almost as big as a man’s.  Her tiny human eyes snapped with authority and she looked capable of murdering anyone who stood in the way of her goal.  It was no wonder that Bates was cowed by her. 
“You are ten minutes late for your shift change.  Get your ass up to the main house right now before I take you out of the rotation permanently.” 
Shift change?  Rotation?  Tara wondered, but didn’t ask questions.  She moved to enter one of the caves.   
Bates grasped her hair and yanked her back, “Fool.  It’s the middle one.  Shifts have no sense of direction.” 
For an answer, the woman clenched a fist and smashed it forcefully into Bates’ mouth.  The man stumbled backward and was soon sprawled on the floor, blood gushing from his broken nose. 
Tara screeched terrified and raced down the middle cave before the woman could take out her hostilities on “Jane”.  She was grateful to have escaped with her life.  Tara returned her legs to their original length and bolted for the trees once she reached fresh air.  She didn’t look back or slow down for long minutes as she darted between low hanging branches and leapt over fallen trees.  There was no telling when they would discover the real Jane and then come after her. 
She didn’t hear or see the man ahead of her until he stepped out and allowed her to come smashing into his hard chest.  Immediately she began to fight wildly, attempting to drag her nails across his face. 
Steel arms ensnared her against his body and trapped her own arms against her sides.  He shouted into her ear, now close to his mouth. 
“Tara, stop it!  It’s Cole.” 
The fight went out of her and she sagged against him.  “Cole.  I—“ 
Her lover cut off her words when he covered her mouth with his own.  His kiss was nectar to her flagging spirits.  Tara clung desperately to him, needing his strength for just a few moments longer. 
Finally he lifted his head and angry grey eyes stared down into her own, “Tara, I told you always to tell me your activities.  I’ve been worried!” 
“You have?” 
He shook her gently.  “You’ve been gone all night and—“  He stopped, examining her clothing.  “What are you wearing?” 
 Tara’s laugh was just short of hysteria and Cole pulled her again into his embrace.  “Never mind.  I’m sending you home.” 
 He turned and guided her through the trees toward the house.  Tara tried to protest, but he wouldn’t release his hold.  When they stepped into the clearing, she expected Cole would tell her to change back to Gina, but he didn’t say anything.  And since she was too exhausted to do it anyway, Tara didn’t make the suggestion. 
 In her room, Cole began pulling all of her clothes from the closet and packing them in suitcases.  Still, he didn’t explain himself. 
 “What are you doing?  Are we leaving?” 
 He glanced up from his task, “You are.” 
 “What do you mean me?  What about you?  Cole, what’s going on?” 
 “I can’t explain, Tara.  It’s just important that you get back home and stay there.” 
 “What?” She moved to unpack all that he’d put inside her bags.  “After all that I just went through, I’ll be damned if you’re going to dismiss me like this.” 
 He stopped, “Darling, what happened?” 
 Exhaustion was overtaking her again and she felt the emotions roil within.  Tears welled in her eyes and splashed onto her cheeks.  Annoyed, she swiped them away.  “I was kidnapped.” 
 He nodded, “I expected as much.” 
 Tara was shocked.  So he was in on it!  He didn’t even ask her where she’d been held or who was involved.  He already knew.  Pain erupted inside her chest and constricted her speech.  She fell heavily onto the bed, feeling betrayed. 
 Cole seemed to guess her feelings and came to sit beside her, putting an arm around her shoulders.  “You promised to trust me, remember?” 
 She didn’t answer, couldn’t answer. 
 “I would never do anything to hurt you.  I promise that I did not have anything to do with you being kidnapped. 
 “Yet you didn’t ask me where I was being held.  You haven’t called the police.” 
 “I can’t do that right now.” 
 “What?”  She shook herself free of him and stood.  “You don’t care.  You could care less that they threatened to kill me!” 
 He paled, “Of course I care.  That’s why I’m sending you home, where you’ll be safe.” 
 “No!” 
 “Don’t argue with me, Tara.” 
 “Go to hell, Cole.  If you can’t tell me what’s happening on this damned island, then I’m not leaving until I find out what it is.” 
 “Is that right?” 
 “Yes, that’s right!”  She folded her arms, her stance daring him to challenge her. 
 Cole was not intimidated by Tara’s slender frame and scowling face.  He continued pack, to her utter disgust.  When he finished, he laid out a single dress, clean underwear and matching sandals for her to wear. 
 “While you shower, I’ll arrange for a car and boat to Taquil.  From there we’ll ride to the airport so I can put you on a plane.” 
 Tara didn’t move.  “You do realize I cannot mimic Gina?  I’m too tired.  If I do at this point, I risk Shift disease.  You already know what that’s like.  Unless of course you couldn’t care less…” 
 “Tara.”  Cole sighed.  He ran an impatient hand through his hair while he thought.  “If I have to smuggle you out of this house, I will.  It is not so illegal for a Shift to fly.  No one will know who you are once we are on Taquil.” 
 “I’ll stick out like a sore thumb, especially with you escorting me.  There aren’t many Shifts in the islands.” 
 “You’d be surprised.”  He guided her to the bathroom, brooking no further argument before she washed and changed. 
 Tara complied but still hadn’t finished her argument.  She was not leaving until Cole told her something substantial.  He could at least fully assure her that he wasn’t involved in something illegal.  She didn’t think she could stand that, but had to know. 
 Thirty minutes later, Tara was clean and dressed in a cutesy pink confection that Cole had chosen for her.  The look on his face told her he was forced to agree.  As herself, Gina’s clothes did not compliment Tara’s thinner figure.  She was no better dressed now than she had been in the maid’s uniform, except that the clothes were of higher quality. 
 “I will need to buy you clothes that suit you later,” he told her. 
 She wondered if that meant he’d continue as her lover after they both returned to the states.  That is, if he wasn’t somewhere in prison first. 
 “I’m not going.” 
 “Tara, don’t start that again.  You are going.” 
 He was moving the bags into the hall.  She watched him silently for several moments and wondered again at the obvious absence of the house staff.  Where was everyone? 
 “Cole?” 
 “Yes?” he didn’t look up. 
 “If you make me leave without telling me anything, you might as well say goodbye to me forever.  I will have nothing else to do with you.” 
 That stopped him.  He dropped the bag he was transferring to the hall and came toward her.  Tara felt a bit leery of his intentions.  Cole reached for her hands and planted feather light kisses on first one and then the other. 
 “Tara, look at me.” 
 She resisted and then complied. 
 “I love you, Tara Barnes.  I love you with all my heart, more than I thought I could love a woman in such a short time.  I feel like I’ve given you a part of myself for safe-keeping and that you’ve given me a part of yourself.  Darling, it cannot be undone.  I wouldn’t let it be undone.” 
 She gasped disbelieving of his words. 
 “Darling.  If you leave me, I will find you.  I will look for you until I find you again and make you mine.” 
 “But…but…” 
 “I know,” he interrupted.  “I know you are from a race where the woman is so dominant.  And I’ve come to respect that…to a certain extent.”   
He grinned.  Tara felt herself drowning, frightened. 
“I will accept that you are an independent woman.  I will accept that you want to wear pants and make your own decisions.  But what I won’t accept is your not being with me.  That I cannot and will not accept.” 
She trembled in his hold, “You’re behaving as if I don’t have a choice.” 
“You have a choice, so far as your heart allows it.  We don’t always decide who we will love.” 
“And you’re sure I love you in return?” 
Cole’s expression was self-assured, “I have no doubt.” 
Tara slumped against his chest.  He was right of course.  She did love him, so deeply she’d come to the conclusion only a moment ago that she would stay with him no matter what.  She knew she wouldn’t be able to keep him away should he choose to pursue her.  And if he was involved in something illegal, she’d simply have to seduce him to let it go for her sake. 
“Ok, you win Cole.  I will go.” 
“Hmm, I wonder if I should trust such an easy capitulation,” he chuckled. 
Tara frowned, “This is no laughing matter, Cole.  These people are dangerous.  I’m afraid for your life.” 
He pulled her close.  “I know.  It will be okay.  I’m not alone.” 
She looked up at him, thinking to question what he meant by that, but his look said let it drop.  And he returned to removing the luggage to the hall in preparation for their departure. 
Miraculously, Cole and Tara made it to Taquil without any interference.  Tara had fidgeted the entire trip to the dock, staring fearfully into the trees.  She expected the muscled woman to pop out at any time, but nothing happened. 
Cole had had the brilliant idea of putting a large straw sunhat over Tara’s dark hair and tying a colorful scarf over that to shade her face.  Sunglasses hid her large eyes and they were on their way.  Tara assumed the man driving the truck was working for Cole and was being paid to keep his mouth shut about the fact that Cole Stevens’ wife was much thinner than she was upon arrival on the island.  He asked no questions and Cole didn’t volunteer anything.  Still the experience kept Tara on edge until they reached the airport. 
Tara and Cole stood near the gate for her to depart.  He held her against him, kissing away her tears. 
“Since I met you, I’m not as strong,” she accused him. 
“Since you met me, you realize you don’t have to do everything yourself.”  He pulled her closer.  “Beautiful Tara.” 
“Cole, you could be killed.” 
“Always so blunt and to the point.” 
“It’s true.”  She wept, trying to pull away from him, but he held on.  “This is what it’s like to love a human male?  So painful and unsure?” 
“So good and satisfying,” he affirmed.” 
“But my people don’t have this struggle.  No surprises.” 
“No excitement either.” 
She nodded, “Yes, Coltech is predictable.  I guess I am also.” 
“We’ll need to discuss Coltech, you know.” 
“I know,” she sighed and then kissed him again.  She stared up into his face, memorizing every pore, every line. 
“I do not respect your culture enough to share you.” 
She grinned, “And if I insist?” 
He released her and turned away. 
Tara, feeling alone, stumbled against his back and encircled his waist.  She held on, so defenseless.  “Cole, I was teasing.  I didn’t mean it.” 
Cole was very obviously angry.  His brows knit on his forehead and his eyes were very cold.  “I find I want to please you more than anything, Tara.  However, I remember who I am.  I will not share you…ever!” 
 
Tara arrived home exhausted beyond belief and missing Cole as if she was missing part of herself.  Depression hung heavily on her shoulders making her slump miserably in the cab back to her apartment.  She had phoned Coltech to say she would be there within the hour.  She would need healing.  Her head was still pounding and napping on the plane with worry over Cole’s safety had been impossible. 
Twenty minutes later, she stepped from the cab in front of her building.  She was on the first floor and expected Coltech to come running out to greet her as he usually did, the happy little puppy.  Instead, she glanced up to see him standing forlornly on the stairs watching her. 
“Coltech, help with the bags!  Can’t you even say hello or something?”  She knew she was irritable and taking it out on him, but she couldn’t help it. 
Coltech moved to obey, dragging the bags roughly across the ground.  Tara gave him a murderous look. 
“Hello, Tara.  I’m glad you’re home.” 
She nodded and they went inside. 
“Coltech, I’m not feeling very well as you know.  I would like to have some of your matook soup and some bread, please.  I don’t have much of an appetite, but I am feeling weak.” 
“Of course.”   
He disappeared into their tiny kitchen and reappeared shortly with the warm soup in a large bowl.  Tara ate heartily having missed the native Shift cooking. 
“That was great, as usual.”   
She patted Coltech’s shoulder as was her habit in praising him.  Coltech ducked his head and said nothing.  Tara was curious about this odd behavior from her usually buoyant life-assistant, but felt too preoccupied with her longing for Cole to question it. 
“Coltech, there were some crazy things going on on that island.  I can’t begin to tell you what happened to me.  There were other experiences too that we should discuss.  Though I guess you already feel it from me.” 
“Actually, I don’t.” 
“What?” She blinked at him. 
Coltech stood, his face full of anguish, “I don’t know what you feel, Tara.  I don’t know anything at all except what you tell me.” 
“What are you talking about, Coltech?”  She was irritated again with what she assumed was his dramatics.  “Would you spell it out to me, because I’m not getting it?” 
“We’re not bonded anymore.  Do you understand, Tara?  You and I are no longer bonded.  Do you know what that means?  It means you’ve bonded with another man!” 
The soup bowl slipped from her nerveless fingers and smashed on the wooden floor.  How could she have not known?  She had bonded with Cole and now Coltech could no longer sense her feelings.  What in the world was she going to do?   
 
Chapter Nine 
 
"I'm so sorry.  I never meant for this to happen."  Tara was bewildered, ashamed. 
Coltech sat quietly.  His hands were clenched in front of him as he stared down at the broken soup bowl.  He must be feeling low, Tara thought, not to leap to clean up the mess.  Always, Cole had found pleasure in serving her.  Now, he seemed defeated. 
"Coltech?" 
He sighed, "You don't need to be sorry, Tara.  This is normal among our kind.  You have always been free to choose another, to bond with anyone you want." 
"I know, but it's never been that way with us." 
"There was that Shift a couple of years ago…" 
His voice trailed and Tara felt annoyed that he should bring it up at this time.  She'd seen an unattached male in the grocery store.  She wanted to be with him.  It was not lasting.  She didn't bond.  It was no big deal. 
"Yes, and you weren't behaving this way then, so why are you so depressed this time, Coltech?" 
"Because it's different," he pouted.  "I've watched those human males.  They don't like their women with other men." 
Tara flinched.  It was just what Cole had said.  "If you can't sense my emotions, how do you know he's human?" 
"Isn't he?" 
She gave in.  "Yes, he is.  And you're right, Coltech.  He doesn't want me to have you too.  I can only hope it will stay as good as…um…never mind." 
But Coltech knew what she'd been about to say though he couldn't sense it.  He shuffled toward the bedroom.  "I will pack my things." 
"What?"  She followed.  "What do you mean?  Coltech, where are you going?" 
"I can't stay here.  He doesn't want me in your bed.  I can imagine he doesn't even want me in your sight." 
"But…"  New tears formed in her eyes.  "Coltech, I hadn't thought of you leaving.  There must be another solution.  You can't take care of yourself." 
He moved into the bedroom and pulled his few clothes from the dresser drawers.  "I was thinking I'd go to Latieek's house.  She keeps several males." 
"No!" 
"You don't have to worry.  She wouldn't sleep with me.  She prefers human males too." 
"Coltech, please." 
Tara's cell rang and she attacked the connect button seeing Cole's name.  "Cole!" 
"What's hurting you, Tara?" his voice was strained.  Tara prayed he was safe. 
"What do you mean?" 
"The pain I feel from you is so intense, I can barely think or…work.  What's upsetting you?  Are you safe?" 
Tara gave a strangled cry.  How could it be he could sense her emotions?  "But you're human!" 
"We already know that, darling." 
"Cole, you are sensing my emotions.  That only happens when a Shift woman bonds with a Shift man.  How can you get that ability being human?" 
"I don't know, but I knew I had it the night I found you in the woods and you had transformed into some other woman.  I knew immediately that it was you.  I couldn't figure out how at first.  Later, I put two and two together." 
"What we felt when we made love on the beach?" 
"Yes." 
Tara closed her eyes, remembering the pleasure, the oneness between them.  She hadn't intended it to happen as she told Coltech, but it did.  Now, she was hurting her life-assistant. 
"So, I need to know what's hurting you, so I can help.  I can't concentrate when you feel this bad.  What's wrong?" 
"You have to learn how to control it, block some things.  A Shift male knows by instinct." 
"Tara." 
She rushed ahead to explain the problem, "Cole, my life-assistant is leaving because he thinks you won't want him here.  Please tell him—" 
"He's right." 
"Cole, please." 
He grunted, "Put him on the phone." 
"But—" 
"Tara!" 
"Ok, you don't have to shout.  Damn it!" 
He grumbled at her language but didn't protest.  Tara passed the phone to Coltech.  She bit her nails nervously while trying to listen in on the conversation.  Unfortunately, all Coltech did was squeak like a frightened puppy.  She figured Cole was being his usual bullying self. 
"Yes, ok."  Coltech passed back the phone. 
"Tara, darling, don't worry.  He's staying.  We'll settle this whole thing when I get back." 
She breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you, Cole.  Thank you so much." 
"I have to go.  I love you." 
"I love you too." 
"Tara?" 
"Yes?" 
"He sleeps on the couch!" 
 
"Isn't it nice? One of my men bought it for me just last night."  Latieek gushed, flashing the expensive diamond ring on her right hand. 
"It's ok," Tara said grudgingly. 
"Jealous, Tara?  How's your little Coltech doing?" Latieek had taken advantage quickly of her exotic looks.  Many human males found the smooth skin and large eyes of the Shift woman appealing.  Latieek would not lack for lovers. 
"No, I'm not jealous.  I'm not risking disease sleeping around like that." 
"Disease?  What are you a half-breed?  We don't get diseases dear one."  Latieek preened again, "I can have as many men as I want.  Even if I did get sick, I'd just choose one of my housemen to take care of it like that."  She snapped her jeweled fingers. 
"Yes, well.  I'm not like that."  Tara moved to continue on down the street.  She could have kicked herself for coming this way in the first place.  Needing milk from the store and feeling too guilty to ask Coltech, she'd set out to get it a half hour ago.  Latieek had fairly dashed from her house to show Tara what her new beau had presented to her the night before. Big deal!  Cole had promised to buy her clothes and she couldn't wait for him to come back so she could rub that in Latieek's face. 
"Of course you're not like that, Tara.  It takes a certain something to capture the interest of men like mine.  They can have their pick of thousands of women, but they choose me." 
Tara'd had enough, "I have to go, Latieek.  Have a nice day!"   
She stomped along toward the store, angry at herself for her doubts.  She longed to tell that slut that she'd already captured her own rich human, but Cole wasn't hear to back her claim.  And she wasn't sure he would be.  Meanwhile, her life-assistant was just a house guest and Tara was feeling alone.  It had been a week and Cole hadn't come or called.  When she'd phoned him, he didn't pick up. 
"I can't even sense if he's in trouble like he can with me," she muttered.  "This waiting is excruciating!" 
When she returned home, Coltech was sitting waiting near the door.  He stood on her entrance, still wearing the wounded animal look.  "You went to the store?" 
"Yes." 
"I guess I'm not even good enough to do that for you anymore?" 
"Coltech, please!" Tara tossed her jacket onto the floor.  "I cannot take this attitude from you.  I'm sorry this has happened, but you and I know you are not suffering from a broken heart." 
He looked confused, "What do you mean a broken heart?" 
"A broken heart.  You know, when someone you love hurts you." 
Coltech's face remained blank. 
"Sit down."  Tara sunk into a lazyboy and prepared to explain.  She knew Coltech lived a sheltered life, spending all of his time caring for her.  His only contact with humans had been to occasionally take phone messages and set up appointments.  He had no understanding of human relationships or even Shift-human ones. 
"Ok, Coltech.  I will try my best to explain.  I was always confused by this love thing myself until I experienced it for myself." 
"What is it?  A sickness?  It sounds life-threatening."  Tara suppressed a laugh seeing the old worried Coltech peeking through his depression. 
"No, not a sickness.  You know how our people bond?  We become connected, but not in love." 
"Um…" 
She sighed, "You were not hurt that I slept with another man before." 
He nodded, "Yes, it's just our way." 
"Exactly.  But humans feel so close, so connected that if their mate does that, it hurts them." 
Coltech's eyes widened.  He held up his hands as if to ward off this nasty virus. 
Tara chuckled at his reaction.  "Their connection makes them more vulnerable to the other's actions and words.  But you don't feel that." 
Coltech agreed, "Yes, I know Tara.  I care about you, but I don't feel this 'love' for you.  I don't hurt that you have another man, that you sleep with him.  It's natural." 
"Then why are you so sad and slump around here all day?" 
His eyes watered.  Tara braced herself for the dramatics.  "I have no purpose.  My life was serving you, caring for your every need.  Now I have nothing, not even a place to live." 
She gaped, "But you're staying here.  Cole said so." 
He shook his head.  "No, only until he comes back.  He says he will find me somewhere I will be needed." 
"No!  He said you would stay." 
"I have never seen you like this, Tara.  Do you feel this love thing for Cole?" 
She didn't want to admit it to him.  Coltech wouldn't understand.  "I care about him." 
He persisted, "Would it hurt you if he was with another woman?" 
A sudden vision of Claudia and Cole embracing flashed in Tara's mind causing her to cry out and press fingers to her temples. 
"Are you ok, Tara?" Coltech was anxious. 
She nodded, "Yes.  I…the truth is Coltech, I love him.  I love him so much that it would destroy me if he was with another woman.  And I don't know how I got that way." 
"You bonded.  He gave you human traits.  You gave him the ability to sense your emotions." 
"Well, I feel cheated!" she yelled.  "Love hurts!" 
Coltech shook his head.  Tara knew he was telling her it was her own dumb fault for sleeping with a human.  And he was right. 
 
The following morning, Tara decided to take the matter into her own hands.  She would not sit around waiting for Cole to return.  She wasn't that kind of woman.  She was strong and independent.  She waited on no man, even if he did hold a part of herself inside him.  Tara would continue her investigation. 
First stop, she checked the business white pages for Cole's company listing.  Having seen the name in the cave that first day, she knew what to look for.   
She reached for the phone.  Excitement surged within her.  A new mimic case always gave her that sense of purpose.  She understood the despair that had kept Coltech from his usual exuberance.  It was why she'd agreed with him that he would go back to serving her needs—except for the sexual ones—until Cole returned.  If he returned. 
"Hello, yes.  This is Claudia Taylor," she said in Claudia's high-pitched whining tones.  "I'm trying to reach Cole Steven's personal assistant.  What was her name again?" 
The person put her on hold a moment.  Tara hummed the tune playing in the phone. 
"Lydia James?  Ok, thank you.  No, I will call her back later."  She hung up. 
Now all she needed to do was visit the office and find out what this Lydia James looked like.  If she was clever enough—and she knew she was—she could mimic Lydia and be inside Cole's office by that afternoon.  She gave a little squeal of delight. 
"Coltech!" she yelled commandingly.  I'm hungry!" 
He danced into the room, eyes glowing.  "Yes, Tara.  Of course.  I have some Kootoo warming as I speak." 
 
The Stevens and Pierce Acquisitions office was in the heart of the downtown area.  Tara had spent some time resting and then mimicked an old customer’s features yet again to gain access into the building.   
She glanced around the lobby, taking in the security guard’s desk, the security camera on the front door and the host of employees rushing about.  She dragged in a deep breath and approached the guard. 
She widened the blue eyes she emulated to a gain a sweet and innocent appearance.  “Hi.  Can you tell me please, what floor Stevens and Pierce Acquisitions is on?”  For good measure, she’d also leaned over onto the desk, allowing the male to look his fill of her cleavage. 
He was mesmerized, “I…um…yes, miss.  This entire building is the company.” 
She gasped.  Cole was that rich?  It was a tad intimidating.  No wonder he’d looked down on her shabby office the first time she’d met him.  He was used to much, much more. 
“Oh.  Well, what floor is Cole Stevens on?”  Again, she turned on the sex appeal. 
The man was hooked and gave her all she needed to know and his phone number.  Tara tossed it in a wastebasket the moment she was out of his sight and boarded the elevator for the top floor.  Of course, the executive suite would be up there. 
Inside the elevator, Tara rehearsed what she would say to locate the assistant without that woman knowing she was looking for her.  She needed a space alone to study her—the eyes, the hair, the height.  The layout of the floor would also be important.  Bumbling around looking for an office she should have known the location of would look suspicious when she returned later as Lydia. 
A bell dinged and Tara stepped from the elevator and stood looking around. 
“Dani?  Oh my god, Dani!”  An overenthusiastic woman suddenly grasped Tara in a bear hug, nearly sending them both tumbling to the floor.  “I can’t believe it’s you, Dani.  What’s it been?” 
Damn!  Apparently this woman knew Dani Morgan, the woman Tara was mimicking.  This was not a great start to her snooping. 
“A long time?” she ventured. 
The woman’s shout of laughter was too much, “More like five years.  Girl, where have you been?  And look at you, you’ve lost some weight.” 
Tara had seen no reason to bloat out her figure to match that of the real Dani.  The facial features had been enough, she’d thought.  “A little.” 
Again the loud laugh.  Tara felt trapped and angry that this shrill woman was hindering her investigation.  She needed to extricate herself fast.  
“Why don’t we go to lunch?  I know we have tons to catch up on, especially that.” She indicated Tara’s left ring finger.  Tara stood dumbfounded wondering what she was seeing because Tara never wore jewelry.   
“Don’t play coy, girl.  I heard you’d gotten divorced.  I want details.” 
Was she kidding?  Wasn’t that sort of thing painful for humans?  Why did this woman sound so crass, so unfeeling?  Remembering Cole’s accusations of her own crassness, she nearly laughed. 
“I…it’s too painful to talk about,” she whispered, hoping to pass on the hint for discretion. 
“Oh give me a break, Dani.”  The woman linked an arm through Tara’s and pulled her along a short hallway.  “I also heard you were caught in bed with another man.  You’re not so broken up.” 
“I…” 
“Just let me get my purse and we can do lunch.”  It had not occurred to Mystery Woman that maybe Dani had come to the office for other than herself.  She chattered endlessly about old times.  Tara dragged along beside her, thinking furiously of a way to pull her arm free of the grip Mystery had on her.   
Just then a woman as sexy and sensual as they came rounded the corner heading toward them.  The act of flipping her rich auburn hair back over her shoulder while sashaying in five-inch heels and a very short dress suit had a slow motion quality to it.  Every man within the vicinity found a reason to speak to her or to hang about in their office doorways to catch a glimpse of the siren.  Tara wondered how they got any work done with such a creature around. 
“Who is that?” she wondered aloud. 
Mystery snorted, “That is Lydia James, the top boss’ personal assistant. 
Tara stumbled.  Cole looked at that every day? 
“Yeah, I know.”  She’d read the bewildered look on Tara’s face.  “Everyone knows he’s having an affair with her.” 
“Everyone knows?” 
“Yes.  Katie in accounting caught them going for it one night in the file room when she stayed late.” 
Tara felt her throat close.  She tugged at her arm.  “I have to go,” she gasped. 
“Nonsense.  Let’s go meet her.”  Mystery all but dragged Tara along the hall and barrowed rudely through the men.  “Lydia!  Let me introduce you to my old friend Dani.” 
On closer inspection, the woman was even more beautiful than Tara first thought.  Her skin was perfect, unlined and unblemished.  Her top and bottom lip were full and pouty.  The almond-shaped green eyes were knowledgeable of pleasure and the small nose cute.  Tara tried to take in this woman’s physique in a clinical manner as one would an experiment.  Yet, it was hard not to notice the big breasts squeezed inside the too-small suit.  Cole liked big breasts.  She sighed. 
“Hello.”  Tara reached out to shake the woman’s hand. 
The touch was fleeting.  Lydia’s voice was husky and sensual.  Fake, Tara thought.  Several men panted with longing at the sound. 
Was Cole really having an affair with this goddess?  He had resisted an intimate relationship with Tara because he was married.  Had he given in to her?  Perhaps that had been the real reason he’d hesitated.  Having this woman at home waiting for him to return to her bed, could have kept him on the straight and narrow for a while. 
Tara felt jealousy rising in her, nearly choking her and making her want to burst into tears right here.  She struggled against the pain in her throat and the hurt in her heart.  Taking a deep breath, she blew out her negative emotions.  Beautiful or not, this woman was not bonded with Cole.  If he felt her pain now, it might distract him or he might call her to see what was wrong.  She couldn’t be found in his office. 
Tara studied the woman again.  She needed to mimic this perfection in order to gain access to Cole’s office.  She’d tackle one obstacle at a time. 
“Hey, why don’t you give me a tour before we go to lunch?” 
“Perfect!” Her ‘old friend’ immediately ushered Tara around the entire executive suite and told the life history of every employee.  Before it was over, she felt she knew intimately every person working for Cole. 
“Tamika, do you have that report yet?” someone called from an office they passed. 
Mystery paused to explain her delays.  So her name was Tamika.  That was a relief to learn.  Tara didn’t want to keep calling her “Hey.” 
“I need it now, Tamika.  You’ve missed the deadline three times already.” 
“Ok, ok.”  She turned back to Tara.  “Sorry, Dani, I’m going to have to take a rain check on our lunch.” 
Not nearly as disappointed as she pretended, Tara took down the offered phone number and promised to call later.  When Tamika had disappeared behind a cubicle wall, ostensibly to get started on the late report, Tara ducked into the bathroom.  She had to form a plan.  Getting an access card or something for her visit to the office later would be just the thing. 
 
Lydia returned to Cole’s office building well after hours.  The gaining of the access card had been easy.  Walking in the stiletto heels, which she’d found to be a trademark, proved to be the real challenge.  She swiped her entrance card and yanked down the short skirt for the millionth time, before entering the building. 
The single guard on duty had to be at least eighty-five.  He barely noticed the voluptuous Lydia James as she flashed her ID card before heading toward the elevators.  The executive suite was abandoned, only one or two emergency lights on.   
Lydia made her way to Cole’s office at the rear of the floor and tried his doorknob.  It was locked.  Damn!  She went back to the desk she knew to be her own and searched through the drawers.  No key.  How could she have anticipated this? 
“Hey, baby.  You look so hot tonight.” 
She rolled her eyes before glancing up from the drawer she was re-searching.  In her annoyance, she wasn’t sure she could obtain the right level of huskiness in her voice, so she remained silent. 
The housekeeping crewman grinned suggestively while staring at her cleavage.  She regretted the decision to go completely true to her character by wearing a low-cut blouse. 
Hoping to give the impression of a cold, she cleared her throat.  “Hello, I’m just trying to find my keys here.  Mr. Stevens wants a report faxed to him and he has it in his office.” 
“You got ID?  Can you prove you’re you?” he grinned again, more lewdly if possible.  “One can never be too careful.” 
Lydia grimaced and stood.  She moved gracefully on stocking feet since she’d kicked off the high heels.  When she was within an inch of the man, she stopped.  Strong odors of cleaning products emanated from him, but she ignored them. 
“You’re kidding me, right?” she pouted as prettily as she could.  “I’ve had such a long day with people being mean to me and now you’re giving me a hard time too?”  She added a small sniffle to the effect. 
He fell hard, “I’m sorry, baby.  You don’t deserve that.  Anybody who treats a babe like you wrong ought to be shot.” 
“So you’ll help me?” she said hopefully, to get him away from her breasts.  He looked too inclined to touch. 
“Okay, but what do I get?” 
Lydia took a deep breath and bounced up and down, while clutching his arm, “Please, I need that report right now.”  Her full breasts pressed against the man’s arm, nearly sending him in alt by the look of delight on his face.  When she’d stopped, he moved to the door, unlocked it and flung it wide. 
“You can have anything and everything, baby.  Anything!” 
Lydia smirked, triumphant.  She glided past him and into the office, closing the door behind her.   
Cole's office was just as she'd expected, expensively appointed with rich mahogany furniture and every item in its assigned place.  His refined male scent hung in the air and teased her senses, making her long for his touch.  Lydia forced thoughts of Cole from her mind and moved swiftly to the oversized desk in front of the windows.  She sank down on the chair before checking the drawers for anything that would give her a sign of what Cole was involved in. 
"Notepads, pens, other office supplies," she grunted in frustration.  "No incriminating memos?"  
Her eye fell upon the file cabinet behind the door and she darted toward it on tiptoes, praying it was unlocked.  It was.  She yanked open drawers, but found nothing relating to John Taylor or his island. 
"Damn!"  Now what should she do? 
"Let's get this over with.  I have an appointment with a sexy lady tonight," Lydia recognized Drew's voice just outside the office.  She froze, terrified when she heard his key in the lock.  Surely Cole and Drew didn't share an office. 
She eased close the file drawer and searched frantically for a hiding place.  Impersonating Cole's assistant for the other employees was one thing.  She didn't want to be forced to play her for Drew.  He'd see right through some flimsy excuse about a needed file. 
With the door opening beside her, Lydia had no choice but to squeeze herself in the narrow space between the cabinet and the small bookcase beside it.  She could only hope Drew wouldn't find a need to look through the cabinet. 
"Ok, I have the line ringing.  Come on darling, say it."  Drew's words were those of a lover, but his tone left Lydia cold. 
A familiar voice spoke, but Lydia hesitated to peak at who it was.  "Cole, I know the truth.  Now do you see why I couldn't stay with you?  I won't be married to a criminal and a murderer."  The woman's voice shook with emotion.  "I'm going to the police.  I'm telling them everything.  I won't be a party to your cruelty.  Goodbye." 
Now Lydia trembled in her small hiding place.  Though she longed to weep, her eyes were dry.  Cole had done…something, and Drew was helping his wife get away from him.   
"Cole," she whispered, broken. 
"What was that?"  
Another man was in the room, closer to Lydia.  He'd heard her groan.  She swallowed hard and struggled to keep herself calm and quiet. 
"Nothing," Thankfully, Drew was eager to be gone.  "Give me the papers.  The best place might be here in this drawer.  That way the police will be sure to find them quickly.  I don't want anything going wrong." 
"I'm sure I heard something," the other man said again. 
"Who's in charge here!" Drew exploded.  Lydia had never heard him so angry.  He waited for the humiliated answer. 
"You are." 
"Good, then give me the damn sheets and let's go.  When we're clear, Gina here will call the police and kindly inform them of her husband's activities and where she suspects they can find proof." 
Not if I can help it!   
Lydia heard the unmistakable click of a briefcase being opened.  The rustle of papers and a drawer opening and closing was sealing her love's fate.  Just a few moments longer and she'd get into that drawer.  Drew may have turned his back on Cole for love of Gina, but she hadn't.  She would not allow him to be sent to prison, no matter what the cost to herself. 
The door shut behind the trio and Lydia waited a beat longer before crawling out of her hiding place.  She listened at the door to be sure they'd gone before moving swiftly to the desk.  A brief search and she had the incriminating sheets in her hands. 
The first of seven sheets held names, with dollar figures beside them.  Lydia wondered at their meaning, but decided it didn't matter.  She had to get rid of the evidence.  Not giving much thought to her actions, she rushed across the room to another door, expecting it led to a private bathroom.  She was right. 
She rifled through the purse she'd clutched frantically to her side throughout this entire escapade and located a lighter.  "An investigator must be prepared," she whispered to herself. 
Lydia held the sheets over the toilet and lit them on fire.  She'd burned nearly everything before the building's sprinkler system was activated and she was soaked to the skin. 
"Damn it!" 
"Damn it is right, Lydia." 
She pivoted slowly on her heel to face Drew's contorted angry face.  In that second, she knew it had all been a lie.  Cole's best friend had been setting him up.  Drew was the one breaking the law, and Gina apparently was in on it. 
"I hope you didn't do what I think you did, Lydia." 
"I…"  She cowered in front of the toilet, hoping he didn't see.  "I didn't do anything." 
"Move." 
"I…" 
"Move!"  
He lunged for her, but Lydia managed to flush the toilet before she slipped in the water now covering the floor.  Drew was also thrown off balance and for a few seconds they almost danced in the rain of water, struggling together.  Lydia attempted to make her escape while Drew insisted on holding her back. 
An announcement came over the loud speaker advising all to exit the building and that the fire department was on the way.  Lydia and Drew froze staring at one another, processing the implications. 
She reached for the doorjamb to haul herself through it, but Drew blocked her immediately with a blow to the side of her head.  Lights danced before Lydia's eyes and her vision snapped as if she’d just taken a photo. 
Drew dragged her against him and ground out harshly against her painful cheek, "Hello, Tara." 
Shock overcame her and she crumpled in his arms. 
 
Chapter Ten 
 
On a good day, Tara dreamed of Cole holding her, telling her he loved her.  When things were bad she was tormented with thoughts of him in his posh office, having affairs, not caring if she was dead or alive.  Those days made her present life harder to bear.  They brought her to the brink of such despair, she felt she wouldn’t be able to carry out the assignments she’d been given to complete.  But just as Jane had said, they knew how to get to her.  They held all the cards. 
“Mommie, can we go home now?” Two-year old Caelyn wiped her small black eyes and yawned sleepily. 
“Ok, sweet pea.  We’re going.”  Tara stood, glancing over at the guard who was her constant companion.  The impassive face was a reminder that her little one wouldn’t be staying with her tonight…never on an assignment night. 
She scooped her daughter up in her arms and turned toward the narrow path leading back to her cabin.  At least we live a peaceful life when we’re at home, she thought. 
A short while later, Tara entered the large cabin.  She thought of the wooden structure as a cabin, but it was more like a rough-hewn mansion.  It was the prison Tara had spent the last three years living in, separated from the man she loved.  On those days when Tara thought she couldn’t participate in another assignment, it was only her little angel that saved her.   
Caelyn climbed determinedly onto Tara’s back and bent down to flash black eyes transformed to steel grey in Tara’s face.  It was as if Cole were there inside the little girl, letting her know he still loved her. 
Tara cried bitterly, “Oh Caelyn, how can I do it?” 
“For Daddy, Mommy.  We live for Daddy.” 
“You shouldn’t be so wise as little as you are.”  Tara hugged her fiercely.  “And I should not talk to you about these things.” 
Another Shift shared their room.  Tara thought she was short for an adult female Shift.  Bana now smiled at the dancing girl, trying to cheer her mother.  “She’s smart, Tara, for a two-year old.” 
“I know.” 
Bana shook her head.  “No, but she’s really smart.  I’ve been around human babies her age.  They aren’t as advanced as she is.  And the things she can do.” 
“Caelyn!  Stop that dancing!” Tara scolded. 
The child pouted and sat down quietly while Tara dressed in her costume. 
“Why do you have to be so mean to her sometimes?  She was only trying to cheer you up.” 
“She’ll never do it dancing.  Never!”  Tara sighed as she examined her image in a mirror.  The human she mimicked was beautiful of course.  Wide blue eyes, blond hair.  They always wanted blond hair.  She didn’t understand the appeal. 
Her outfit was all white, a tight backless dress reaching only to mid thigh.  In the time she’d been working here, she’d learned to walk well in stiletto heels.  She was a natural they’d said.  A natural dancer. 
Tara turned back to face Bana.  “Caelyn will never be a dancer if I have anything to say about it.”  Her gaze dropped to her beautiful daughter with her Shift signature long black hair and black pearl eyes.  Tara would do whatever it took not to let that happen.  “Whatever it takes.” 
“Mommy, will I go to Auntie Jane’s tonight?” 
Tara clenched her jaw.  “Yes.  But I will pick you up bright and early, sweet pea.”  Her voice cracked and she blinked away tears.  This separation from her daughter was the hardest to endure. 
The guard escorted mother and daughter to the waiting car.  Caelyn would be taken to Jane’s cabin and then Tara would be conveyed to the docks in preparation for her trip to Taquil. 
Cole had been right, she thought as she sat sullen waiting for the moment of excruciating agony when she’d have to leave her daughter for the night.  There were many more Shifts on the islands than Tara had known.  In fact a whole community of Shifts, working for the one who’d enslaved them all.  The all being Shift women.  Tara figured on some level they deserved it.  It was this painful experience that had taught her once and for all the injustice she and her fellow females had put upon the male Shifts.  She’d vowed to herself that if she was ever freed, she’d beg for Coltech’s forgiveness at how he’d been treated.  She’d make amends some how. 
“Look what we have here, a little half-breed.” Jane’s hated face appeared in the cabin doorway and Tara longed to take her daughter and flee. 
“Don’t start, Jane.” 
The Shift’s eyes narrowed, “Just remember who’s watching your daughter tonight, Tara.” 
She quaked.  Jane hated her.  She’d been beaten nearly to death for allowing Tara to escape.  The ugly scar marring her otherwise smooth facial skin was testament to their cruelty.  Now this woman who hated her so much had been given charge of Caelyn, commanded to kill her should Tara ever try to escape.  The threat to her baby kept her in line at all times.  Caelyn was all that Tara had left of Cole.  She knew she’d never live without her. 
“It’s getting late.  I must go before I get into trouble.”  Tara pulled her darling into her arms and hugged her tight.  “You know I love your more than life, don’t you sweet pea?” she whispered. 
“Yes, Mommy.  I love you too.”  The little girl clung to her mother, her tiny brown hands tangling in Tara’s hair.  She pressed her lips against Tara’s ear.  “He’s coming soon, Mommy.” 
Tara pulled back, staring into her daughter’s eyes with hope in her heart.  She dared not ask if she meant her daddy.  Instead, she extricated herself and slipped back into the car.   
“Take deep breaths,” the guard commanded harshly. 
She obeyed, knowing the hyperventilating she experienced each time she was taken from her baby would subside shortly.  Her breathing under control, Tara leaned back against the soft back cushion of the vehicle.  She closed her eyes and tried to calm her mind.  There would be no room for mistakes tonight, or punishment would follow. 
The club on Taquil was vibrating with the tropical beats and the gyrating bodies of the dancers on the floor.  Tara paused just inside the door while her guard moved to a corner to watch without interfering with the process. 
Her query was across the room, in a corner and surrounded by bodyguards.  Tara knew her duty.  She moved to the dance floor and began her routine, a sensual dance manufactured to lure any male alive to the lust of a woman.  For months after Tara had given birth to Caelyn, she’d been given daily dance lessons.  The higher ups had recognized her natural ability to move to the rhythm of the music.   
She closed her eyes giving herself the beat.  And it wasn’t long before he joined her.  His plump body brushed against Tara’s.  She swallowed bile in her throat and continued to move, allowing him his exploration of her.  Soon he would be fully hooked. 
“How much?” he whispered. 
“You have me mistaken for someone else, sir,” she answered. 
He fretted.  “I’ll give you whatever you want.  Name it.” 
Tara knew what they wanted.  She knew before the night was over he’d give it and more.  He’d give his dignity, his self-respect and his promise never to admit to anyone what had happened to him Taquil.  They knew what they were doing.  And they chose their victims carefully, just as they’d chosen Tara to come to John’s island in the first place. 
Abruptly Tara stopped dancing and turned on her heel to head toward the door.  Her swaying hips drew him without a touch.  He followed, hooked on her body, the promise of what she could give him. 
The victim lay on the bed in the small hotel room, his bodyguards dismissed for the night.  Tara swayed before him to the music on a portable CD player.  She reached up to untie the straps of her dress.  His eyes widened with anticipation.  They’d come in soon.  She longed for it to be now. 
Just as her dress dropped to her narrow waist, something thudded against the door and the handle began to turn.  She and the man both stared, wondering at that sound, like a body. 
The steel grey eyes arrested her, froze her hands in place and took in her naked breasts.  He didn’t utter a word, but stepped inside and closed the door behind him.  Tara watched him, fascinated. 
“Hey, you can’t be in here.  This is my room.” The man complained from the bed. 
His voice was as deep and husky as she remembered, “You can have the room.  The woman belongs to me.” 
Tara gasped. 
Cole turned his angry eyes on her, “Cover yourself.” 
She did, feeling ashamed.  “Cole.  You mustn’t interfere.” 
The man began to complain louder and Tara watched in shock when Cole rendered the man unconscious in seconds.  She backed away as he advanced on her, but he pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers. 
“You’ve made me angry.” 
“I know.  I’m sorry, but Cole—“ 
“Wait until we’re in the car.” 
Five minutes later, the two were speeding along a narrow street toward the docks.  Tara shook with terror. 
“Cole, please.  You can’t do this.  You don’t understand.  We…we…  I didn’t want to tell you this way, but we have a daughter, Cole.” 
“I know.”  His attention did not leave the road. 
“What?”  She turned to stare at him.  “How could you know?” 
“Never mind that now.  We need to get to our little one.” 
“But Cole.  She’s in danger.  The person who has her may already have been notified.”  Tara sobbed, desperate for her baby. 
“Darling,” Cole stroked Tara’s cheek gently.  “She’s ok.” 
Tara was hyperventilating again, “How can you know that?”  She lost her form and returned to herself.  “Cole, please.” 
“Tara.  Sweet, Tara.”  He sighed.  “How I have ached for you these three years, imagining you had forgotten me one day and hoping you needed me as I needed you the next.” 
She could not focus on his words, though her erratic breathing eased.  “Caelyn.” 
“That’s her name?  It’s beautiful!”  Cole smiled. 
“How can you smile?” 
“Darling, I feel her.” 
“What?” 
“I feel our daughter.  I see her face in my mind.”  He smiled again. 
“How can that be?” 
He shook his head as he pulled the car to a stop and hopped out.  Tara followed in his steps and he caught her around the waist to lift her into the speed boat he had waiting. 
“I don’t know.  I am not connected to her as I am to you.  I’ve had plenty of time to think about it while in prison though.” 
“Prison!” 
He guided the boat with one hand while tucking her against his body with the other.  “Yes, prison.  Nothing else could have kept me from your side, darling.  Drew set me up good.  I was charged with embezzling funds as a way for him to cover his real dealings.” 
“Shift trafficking?” 
“Yes among other things.” 
Tara leaned heavily against him.  If this was a dream and she’d wake up soon, she’d enjoy it for as long as possible.  His scent filled her nostrils and Tara breathed him deep inside her.  She would remember him always. 
“Cole, how can you know about our daughter?” 
His hold tightened, “I think she’s very special.  Have you noticed anything different about her?  I think she put pictures of herself in my mind.  Yet, she’s only two.  Maybe I’m imagining things.” 
“She’s very intelligent.  She knows things she shouldn’t know.  For instance, she knew you were coming.” 
“Really!” Cole seemed impressed with his unseen daughter.  “I can’t wait to meet her. 
“Is she still ok?” Tara hesitated to ask. 
“I believe so.  I think she would tell me if she wasn’t.”   
He removed his arm from Tara’s shoulders to steer the boat into the dock.  Nervous, Tara peered out into the darkness.  She wondered how Cole knew where to find her and where the guards were.  She saw a light in the trees to her right. 
“Cole!  There’s someone out there.  Please, my baby!” 
“Shh, darling.  It’s a friend.”  Cole lifted her easily onto the pier and pulled her along swiftly behind him.  A few steps in the trees and they came upon another vehicle. 
“Where are all the guards?” she wondered aloud. 
“Taken care of.” 
Minutes later, Cole pulled off to the side of the road and parked.  He reached across Tara to the glove box and removed a revolver.  Tara shook. 
“Cole.” 
“It’s ok.  You’ll stay here until I come back.” 
“No.  I won’t.  I’m coming with you.” 
“No.  You’re not.  I have to do this quickly and quietly to be sure Caelyn is kept safe.”  He squeezed Tara’s cold hands.  “Trust me, Tara.” 
“I do, but Caelyn doesn’t know you.  She might get scared.” 
He grinned.  “You said yourself that she knew I was coming.  Don’t you think she’ll know me when she sees me?” 
Tara conceded.  He was right.  Her brilliant little angel would know her daddy.  Tara was sure of it. 
Cole kissed her roughly before disappearing into the night.  Tara locked all the doors and slipped down to the floor.  She’d been so afraid for so long, she was now used to accepting whatever happened to her.  Anything to keep her family safe.  If Cole wanted her to wait, she’d obey.  
She’d obeyed for three years, at first crying every day when she’d been forced to mimic the maid at John Taylor’s house.  Now she knew that maid’s secret.  It had not been one woman, but several, taking shifts.  They’d been among others on the island and in Taquil making up a network of forced laborers for the big boss.  They’d used the love sick man for his property to run their business. 
“It must be Drew,” she mused aloud in the empty car.  “He was the one who scoped me out that first day I met him when I was running from Jay.”  She frowned, angry.  She’d thought it had been a coincidence.  Now she knew better.  The organization had planned for everything, even her agreement to act as Cole’s wife.  But she’d never figured out how they’d gotten Cole to go along with it.  She believed her lover was innocent, trusting him implicitly. 
She sat up suddenly and searched the surrounding darkness.  No light shown except the moon.  “Well I may trust him, but he’s taking too long.” 
Tara let herself out of the car.  It was time she fought again for her family.  They were finally in one place and she was determined to keep it that way.  
The white gravel glowed in the moonlight making it easy for Tara to trail along to Jane’s cabin.  She stayed at the side, following from the trees.  Some time later, she saw a glint in the distance which must be the cabin. 
Lights blazed in all the windows.  Several cars were parked haphazardly out front.  Tara knew something had gone wrong with Cole’s plan and her baby could be in danger.  She hurried along among the trees and darted across the road to crouch behind the jeep nearest her position.  Bent at the waist, she inched closer and listened for anyone nearby.  She couldn’t allow herself to be caught. 
Tara searched for a weapon.  A pile of wood stacked near the cabin’s wall held a thin enough block of wood she could wield and Tara grasped it in both hands.  Crouched beneath an open window, Tara strained to hear the conversation inside. 
“Give it up, Cole.  You don’t want to risk your daughter’s life.” Drew was back and as heartless as ever.  Tara’s fingers bit into the wood she held, wanting to crack it across his evil head. 
“How can I do that, when I know what you’ll do?” Cole answered. 
“You’re right.  First I’ll kill this little one, then I’ll kill Tara.  Just like I killed Gina.” 
Tara covered her mouth to muffle her gasp.  When had he done that?  Cole had said she’d divorced him.  She was getting more confusion than answers. 
“No, you won’t.” Cole’s voice matched the coldness in Drew’s.  “I promise I will put a bullet in you for all your betrayal.” 
Drew laughed, “Stupid, Cole.  You always were the gullible one.  Did you truly think Gina had given me up for you?  I simply refused to marry her.  However, she never left my bed.” 
Tara heard Cole’s growl.  She wondered if he still loved Gina. 
“Come and get me, Daddy,” Caelyn cried out suddenly.  “I don’t like this man.” 
“I’m coming precious.” 
Tears blurred Tara’s vision.  She had to end this.  Her daughter needed her.  She took a deep breath and risked looking in the window.  Six men crowded the small cabin and Jane lay unconscious on the floor.  Tara was somewhat disappointed.  She’d been looking forward to taking her down too. 
She had to act.  Picking up a large piece of the gravel, she hurled it toward one of the car windows.  The glass gave off loud ping but didn’t crack.  Still it was enough to distract the men inside.  When one of them moved closer to the window to check the area, Tara swung with all her strength and cracked him across the face.  A second afterward, she realized it could have been one of Cole’s men.  She had no time to consider it because the rest of the men began a scuffle for control. 
Caelyn screamed and Tara climbed boldly inside the window.  She scurried on hands and knees as the men fought above her.  She was just a few feet away from where Drew still held on to the collar of Caelyn’s dress.  He yanked her back when the girl tried to run for her daddy. 
Enraged at the treatment of her daughter, Tara stood and lunged for Drew.  She caught him off guard and managed to sink her teeth hard into his hand.  He cried out and raised his other arm to knock Tara away when a shot rang out.  All scuffling came to a halt. 
Tara released Drew’s hand from her teeth and dragged her daughter into her arms.  She dared a look over her shoulder up at Drew and saw the shock and hate mixed on his frozen features.  A second later and he dropped sideways onto the floor, his eyes open. 
Tara covered her baby’s face and struggled to control her own panic.  But with Drew dead, his men gave up quickly.  When he’d cleared the room, Cole hurried to Tara and scooped her and Caelyn up into his arms. 
“Tara, I told you to wait in the car.” 
“When have I ever obeyed?” she whispered against his shirt. 
He chuckled and Tara burrowed deeper against his chest while clutching Caelyn against her.  She’d never let either of them go again. 
 
Tara sat comfortably on her husband’s lap and luxuriated in his hold as he read to her from the Sunday morning paper. 
“It’s hard to believe who the mastermind behind this whole thing was,” he commented. 
She yawned, tired more often these days.  “Yes, I’m just glad they finally caught her.  Claudia was a very clever woman to have thought up the business of taking rich men for all they were worth using Shifts.” 
He agreed, “Especially being a Shift herself.” 
“I still can’t believe she was that muscled woman I saw in the cave.”  Tara had been struck dumb when Cole showed her the picture of the mastermind the FBI had found to be behind the whole scheme.  “Poor John so in love with and so blinded by his work, he didn’t know what she was up to.  And Drew was her lover.  I…I thought you were having an affair with her.” 
“Never, darling.”  Cole squeezed her gently. 
“But you were seeing Lydia.  Someone saw you together one night at your office.” 
“You’re determined to think the worst of me,” he grumbled.  “I have not mentioned your actions while we were apart.” 
Tara covered her face, shame stealing over her.  “Cole, I—“ 
“No, darling.  I didn’t mean it.  I’m sorry.  I know you had no choice.” 
She turned and curled into his embrace.  “I never slept with them, Cole.  I was a dancer, sent to entice only.  But I have to admit to you that I had to show more than you’d like.” 
“I know.  I don’t really want to think about it, darling.” 
She smiled and kissed him.  “So you did have an affair with Lydia?” 
He sighed.  “Almost.  I was tempted after Gina left.  It was not at the office, so anyone who says they saw us there is a liar.” 
Tara processed this information. 
“You were able to keep your company in place with a manager?” 
“Yes.” 
“And now that you’ve decided to start working again…” 
“Yes?” 
She bit her lip, “I don’t want you to look at Lydia all day!” 
He laughed, “Ok, I will transfer her out.” 
Tara smiled, “The men will be highly disappointed. 
“Be that as it may, you must be happy.” 
“Yes, I must,” she insisted. 
“Mommy!  Daddy!” 
Tara and her husband looked up as their daughter flew into the room, excited about something. 
“What is it, Caelyn?” 
“Uncle Coltech wants to take me to the mall.  Is it okay?”  Her little eyes flashed from black to grey and back again. 
“Caelyn, please stop that.  You’re making mommy dizzy,” Tara scolded. 
“Sorry, Mommy.  Can I, Daddy?” 
Did Tara have no say anymore?  The girl was constantly going to her daddy for everything.  Tara felt she was just in the way with the growing closeness of father and daughter.  It sometimes hurt her feelings. 
“Darling, it’s ok.  She loves you just the same.  She’s only making up for the lost time together.”  Cole, who always knew her feelings, kissed the tip of Tara’s nose. 
She sighed and accepted it.  Maybe her emotions were out of whack again, though she wasn’t sick. 
“Please, Daddy?  Please?” Caelyn yelled. 
Tara had to admit Caelyn had taken to Coltech quickly and adopted the freed Shift as her uncle.  Cole had given her former life-assistant a simple job in his firm and Coltech couldn’t be happier rushing around personally caring for all of the human women in the office.  They loved him, many even proposing marriage.  Of course Cole had also provided Coltech with his own home.  There would be no temptations for his wife. 
“Ok, pumpkin, you may go.  But behave.” 
“Yes, Daddy.”  She bounced along to the doorway and then turned back.  “Oh, by the way, my brother is coming soon.” 
And Tara felt the first pangs of labor. 
 
 
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