Earth Forged - Gifting #7 - Sample - OUT NOW!

Chapter Three

Two decades later.

Earth

Year of 2254, September

Izzy typed on her mobile, while slicing glances at Garix and Ronin, looming, casting shadows, eating all her salami and apples. Listen, Miri, you won't believe the sugar going down. Aliens, my friend. Sexy, tall-as-hell and bronzed aliens. How's things with you?

Izzy touched base with Miri, her bestie while growing up, at least once a week. Her days were dull, so daily updates weren't feasible. What could she say? Sold out on double fudge again today? Spotted the seventeenth seagull rob a poor tourist? Nope, and she'd just sent a message two days ago. Letting Miri know about this latest development was a must.

The 'how's things with you' was sheer curtesy. Miri spent most of her days on hikes. Look, a tree. Oh, and the same boulder she'd seen last week, month, year? Izzy shuddered. Talk about dull.

Miri's response could take minutes or days, depending on whether she had signal or now. Izzy scored big time when a text buzzed her mobile. "You've got to be kidding me, Iz. What kind of a news is that?" The next one pinged as fast. "Have you been kidnapped? Probed? Shit, do you need a rescue?"

Izzy giggled. "Chill. I'm fine. They're big ol' teddy bears. Emphasis on big."

"Good. My hikes are fully booked for the next six weeks, but I'll take the sat phone with me, just in case. Knowing you, you might need me."

Izzy huffed. She hadn't asked for Miri's help, not since she'd moved to the city. Pinching her lips, she took a moment to admit that Miri might be right. Past experience had taught her dear friend to be prepared when it came to Izzy. When she'd spilled paint on Mom's couch, Miri had been scrubbing right beside Izzy.

"Thanks, babe. Appreciate it."

She beamed at Garix and tossed the mobile onto the couch. One moment, no one stood by the door to the enclosed balcony. Next, Caro clung to Malo whose intense expression focused on Caro's face. Izzy wanted to gawk at that much chemistry, instead, she fell on her trusted overreaction.

"Holy shit," she squealed. "You can't go around evaporating, then bam, coming back. Give a girl a warning, please."

She fanned her flaming cheeks for poor Caro, Izzy's roommate and bestie, looked smitten and dazed. Her blue gaze was distant, and her fingers trembled when she swept aside her brown hair. She left dark-and-sensual Malo for the safety of her bedroom, abandoning Izzy. Like being around three alien warriors was the norm for Izzy. She snorted and dipped her head when Malo arched a black-winged brow at her. His ice blue eyes seemed to pierce through her, as if everything she'd done, thought, dreamed were on display. She tucked her legs under her and raised her chin, meeting his gaze. Confidence or fearlessness could be feigned.

"Izzy, sweetheart, could you come here for a sec?" Caro called.

Izzy leaped off the couch and bolted for Caro's bedroom, grateful for the reprieve. "What is it?" She popped her head around the door.

"I need your help." Her friend beckoned from the bathroom.

Izzy giggled and entered the room, closed the door then tiptoed into the bathroom. Caro snapped the door shut, then ran the basin's taps at maximum. What was this?

"I need to talk to you," she whispered.

Izzy smirked, dragging her gaze from the flowing water. "I can see that."

"They have excellent hearing." Caro shoved Izzy onto the closed toilet. Like a good girl, Izzy stayed seated and clasped her hands between her thighs. A few minutes passed as Caro paced.