Read Online Tangling With Topper by Donna McDonald - Free Book Online Page B

still have to find the dakkari.”
    “And we will,” Stark declared, “but for now—let’s both sleep—just for a while.”
    He slid off Topper’s body reluctantly, but fitted himself against her side. In moments, her even breathing told him that she slept. Unwilling to think of the decisions ahead for both of them, Stark closed his eyes and rested as well.

CHAPTER 7
    Topper woke up groaning when she tried to roll to her side and it hurt. Before she could get mad at her aging body over the discomfort, she remembered the night’s activities and laughed. There wasn’t an inch of her that had escaped Stark’s attention. She would be paying for that debauchery the rest of today unless she called Nonny for a tonic.
    As full consciousness returned, Topper also realized the guest bed was empty of the male who’d used her so thoroughly. Guess Glacierans didn’t hang around to chat the morning after. They were not much different than most Earth men in that regard.
    Snorting at her silly sense of abandonment, she swung her legs to the floor, only to find out they were not very willing to hold her up this morning. She laughed again, then cursed the horny alien who’d caused her weakness.
    She gingerly walked out of Stark’s room to hers, then directly to the shower where she turned on the hottest water she could stand. It went a long way to easing her aches. By the time she was dry, she was nearly ready to face the day… and the alien who hadn’t bothered to face her the morning after.
    To deal with the remaining discomfort, she settled for popping a few of the painkillers she found in her medicine cabinet. Real healing would have to wait for later. At least now she would be able to walk without wincing with every movement.
    This time when she entered the hallway, she heard male voices in the kitchen. She walked in on a conversation that halted as they both turned to look at her.
    Stark bowed his head once, his silver eyes gleaming with pleasure to see her. The way he was looking at her almost made up for waking alone. And damn, that reverent head bowing thing he did was sexy. The alien was so constrained most of the time.
    To know what he was like under all that calm demeanor made her want to smile at him like a mad woman. It also made her want to go sit in his lap and say good morning for real despite her aching body. Luckily for her still aching legs, their audience put a damper on that urge.
    Theo grinned at her around his coffee cup. “Look who finally got up today. Stark and I have been out here talking for over two hours. All that extra sleep must have been good for you though. You’re actually smiling this morning.”
    “What are you talking about, Theo? I’m not smiling,” Topper denied, heading to the coffee pot. She started to pour herself a cup and then stopped. “Wait—I don’t like coffee. I drink tea. What am I doing?”
    “Besides delaying the search for the green meanies by sleeping in?” Theo demanded.
    “Oh, stuff it,” Topper said, not turning around. “Or you’ll be the first ever dragon toad.”
    Theo snorted and looked at Stark. “Has Topper threatened to turn you into a toad yet?”
    Topper froze and swung around to glare fearfully at Stark who stared at her panic with one eyebrow raised.
    “Yes,” Stark said succinctly, his gaze never wavering. “Topper threatened and then I reminded her that her magic didn’t work on me. As I recall the conversation, you and your fire-breathing skills were Topper’s backup plan.”
    Theo laughed and drank his coffee. “Well, she’s right. I’d fry anyone’s ass Topper asked me to. Even yours… though I am finally starting to like you… a little.”
    “Yes and we were both so worried about your opinion. I could barely sleep for worrying about it,” Topper said sarcastically, turning back to the sink.
    She filled her tea kettle with water and put it on the stove to boil.
    “So… did you guys come up with a plan while I was sleeping