Disclaimer:

I do not own anything! I do not know anyone! I do not make any money! This is all for fun. Enjoy!

Chapter Two

Aura had a very large, very scary looking man in her home and didn't know how or when he could have possibly gotten in. Her first instinct was to run. But she'd have to run to one of the control panels by either the front or back door and disarm the security system. It would take at least a full minute before the shutter covering them would disengage completely. So that wasn't an option. Her second instinct was to grab a weapon. There was a butcher's block a few steps ahead of her to the right hidden by the wall separating the kitchen and living room. She might be able to reach it before he reached her, but maybe not but the look of him. He was tall, had board shoulders and long thick muscular legs.

He must have known what she was thinking because he smiled, shook his head and began tapping a big knife against his thigh. He had rather nice smiles she thought. Full lips that looked like they were meat to be kissed and whisper dirty things. She shook her head a little and chastised herself. That was not how she should be thinking when there was a home invader in front of her.

He leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees as her looked her up and down.

After what felt like a lifetime, he spoke in a deep raspy voice, "You seem like a reasonable woman," again dragging his eyes up and down her body, "I think we can have a reasonable conversation."

This took her back. Did he just say he wanted to have a conversation? Who breaks into someone's home to have a heart to heart?

Taking a calculated step forward she placed one hand on her hip and the other in the counter that held the knives, he definitely noticed.

"Excuse me?" she asked completely confused.

He chuckled once, stood and walked toward her confidently.

"Strong survival instinct. I admire that in a woman," he stated.

She couldn't do anything except take two steps back away from him, the knives and away from her only chance at protecting herself.

His hand shot out toward the knives but stopped at the light switch on the wall. He switched it off allowing only the soft glow of light form above the sink and entryway to remain, creating an eerie atmosphere.

"You're not scared of the dark, are you? The light hurts my eyes," he said as he casually leaned against the door frame. He could see she was frightened. He could even smell it in the air between them.

Aura couldn't make her mouth cooperate any more. Between his intimidating stature, close proximity and deep voice, she didn't know if she should be scared or be turned on. She wanted to tell him to fuck off, scream or to maybe ask him to take his clothes off. She wasn't sure what to do.

He crossed his arms and bowed his head, "Maybe we should start over."

With his head still bowed he looked up at her through his lashes. She was beautiful even if she looked terrified. Dark thick hair, big green eyes and a pair of pouty pink lips. He was going to have a hard time containing himself in such a small space that was filled with her intoxicating scent. On the surface it was floral like her shampoo and body wash but underneath her natural scent of citrus and woods.

He stood up to his full height, met her stare and with a smile said, "Richard B. Riddick, escaped convict, murderer. You?"

"Aura Esogen, RN," she replied. She almost extended her hand but thought better of it as her hand twitched at her side.

She'd heard that name before. She'd just never seen a clear picture of him. Her secret pleasure was investigative TV, and Riddick was intriguing. He always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even if that wasn't how the host of the shows tried to portray him.

Riddick saw the recognition in her eyes, "So you've heard of me," he acknowledged her knowing look.

She nodded and considered taking another step back but she'd better stand her ground, she didn't want to be written off as weak.

"What have you heard?" he asked.

"Just what they say on TV," she finally found her voice again. Aura mirrored his stance and crossed her arms.

"Do you believe everything you see on TV?"

She shook her head and replied, "I know to take everything with a grain of salt."

"Good," he laughed.

"Here's the deal," he said more seriously. "I'm gonna stick around a few days. Till the heat dies down. You stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours. When the coast is clear I'll leave. No one has to know I was even here."

This shocked her. He wanted to live in her house while god knows who is searching for him and expects her to be Emily Post?! The nerve of this guy. She should kick his ass now. She dealt with punks at the clinic on a daily basis who think they can run all over her and apparently Riddick was no different.

Placing her hands on her hips she felt her face get red again but this time from anger. "Excuse me?" she demanded as she glared at him.

"I said…" Riddick started but she cut him off.

"Oh I heard you. This isn't some bed and breakfast. You can't break into my home, eat my food and sleep in my bed for free," she exclaimed. When Aura realized what she said she blushed but tried to not show her uneasiness to him. "If you are going to stay you will do your part," she blurted.

This surprised them both.

If was rare that Riddick was surprised by anyone. Both of his eyebrows shot up. He knew he'd miscalculated this woman. She was feisty and he liked that.

Aura was surprised that after the initial wave of fear she wasn't too worried about the man himself. From the things she had heard and seen, he seemed to attract danger, not go looking for it. Not that that was any better. It often ended with him saving more lives than he took.

"Oh?" he said.

"Yeah," she replied.

They stared each other down for a minute, waiting to see who would back down first.

Before he could say anything else, she decided she'd better tell him how it was going to be before she lost her confidence.

"I use the eclipse to do some minor house repairs and cleaning. You can help."

"I tell you I'm a murderer and you tell me you want me to clean." Riddick questioned.

"Yes," she declared, "I have some jobs and your muscles will come in handy."

Again Aura's face was tinted pink. She hadn't blushed this much in years.

"Alright," he agreed.

"What?" she asked perplexed.

"Ok," he agreed shrugging. "Who am I to ask for a free ride? You need stuff done and I need a place to hide," he retorted as he licked his lips and eyed her again.

Aura wasn't sure if she had wanted him to agree or not. She hadn't lied about the chores or handy work she needed done. She wasn't looking forward to doing a few single handedly.

"Ok then," she said. Aura dropped her eyes to the floor between them. She could feel her courage waning. She knew she needed to get away from him while she could still at least pretend to be confident.

"Well that's settled then," she said not able to meet his eyes again.

"It's late so I'm going to bed. You can take the spare room."

She glanced at Riddick and saw his smile had returned. Her flight instinct was back in full force. She could walk through the small dining room behind her, down the hall that passed the downstairs half bath and come out back at her entryway. That would take her to the stairs, but she didn't want to let him out of her sight for that long. Plus he'd know exactly what she was doing. So she stepped toward him and said, "Excuse me."

"Of course," he nodded but didn't move completely. He simply turned sideways in the door way so she had to brush against him as she walked by.

He was warm and smelled like worn leather and man. Aura couldn't be sure but she thought she felt him lean forward and smell her too. Once she was past him she turned and said, "The bathroom is at the top of the stairs and towels are in the closet next to it."

He turned to face her head on and replied, "I know."

Aura looked him straight in the eye and almost growled as she said, "You could as least act contrite."

"Never," he grinned.

Huffing, she crossed her arms and walked to the stairs, "Be up bright and early," she sneered. She heard Riddick laugh as she stomped up the stairs.

He could hear her heartbeat rave as she shot up the stairs. Aura might be wearing a brave face but she was definitely unnerved by him. However she was letting him stay and he wasn't going to push his luck, yet.

Once she got to her room, she closed the door behind her quickly locked it, leaning against it and dropped her head into her hands. Had she really just told Riddick he could stay in her home, her sanctuary. Shaking her head at herself she realized she had. She must be losing her damn mind. But the words had just flown out of her mouth and she couldn't stop them.

She pushed herself away from the door and walked into her master bathroom to brush her teeth. She had a phone in her room. She could call the cops. Riddick probably already thought of that and disconnected it. She ran into her room to check. Aura grabbed her home phone next to the bed and hit the on button. A dial tone. It surprised her. She hung up and went back in the bathroom. She finished getting read for bed and walked back to her bed. She slipped off her hoody and began taking off her pants but stopped herself. She wasn't going to be that dumb. Why add to the ever growing list?

She climbed into her big comfortable bad and pulled up the covers. Leaning over she switched off the lamp she'd turned on earlier in the evening. Laying in the dark she continued to think about the man downstairs.

None of the programs she'd watched ever mentioned how attractive hi was. He has smooth tan skin, a board muscular chest and the side view she'd gotten of his ass was very nice. To top it all off he had a deep raw sexy voice that she could listen to for days.

It was going to be an interesting eight days to say the least. If she even made it that long. Aura was confident she would. She would later find it concerning how quickly she fell asleep that night. Barely five minutes and she was dreaming of silver eyes in the dark.

Ending AN:

Some chapters will be short, some a little shorter. I have a total of 10 chapters outlined. And there will be a epilogue and alternate epilogue.