Daliya smiled to herself. She could imagine him looking all gruff while he talked. Her finger hovered over the delete message button. She saved it instead, lying to herself that it wasn’t because she wanted to hear his voice at her leisure, but there might be important information she might need later.
She had four other messages from an unknown sender. Her skin chilled and the good mood of earlier faded. Her stomach tightened in a ball but she made herself click the next message.
“You’re so beautiful. I’m going to catch you and make a baby with you.”
The voice was the same as all the other messages she’d received. Deep with a husky burr common in Yatur males’ speech patterns. Daliya blew out a breath. Delete.
“Where are you? I’m watching your apartment but I haven’t seen you in days.”
Her breath caught in her throat. He was watching her place. She nibbled the tip of her forefinger. She should tell Jasmine but she didn’t want her friend to worry.
No, telling Jasmine wasn’t the answer. She should tell Cohn.
Except despite being an enforcer, he’d made his feelings about Daliya clear. He wouldn’t care or worse he’d think she was seeking attention.
Delete.
“I miss looking at you. I can’t wait until you carry our female child.”
Delete.
“Are you hiding from me?! Maniacal laughter followed. That doesn’t matter. I’ll find you again.”
By the last message, sweat filmed her brow and she could hardly swallow. After deleting it, Daliya closed her eyes. Breaths coming in pants, she tried to forget each one. They weren’t threats. Just someone slightly obsessed with her.
There is no need to tell anyone. As soon as I find a mate this will all be over.
Chapter Seven
“How do you like it?”
“This place is beautiful,” Daliya sighed as she spoke.
Eil, the fourth Yatur male on her list, had brought her to the botanical gardens. Males’ number two and three had been duds. Going out to eat was becoming tiresome and she’d itched to do something else. At this rate, she wouldn’t be able to squeeze into her jeans much longer.
When Cohn had given her the information for this date—another restaurant, she’d had him contact Eil to change the venue.
Daliya put a hand on her waist and slipped a finger under the waistband. Yup. She needed to eat vegetables for the rest of the week. Her thumb was getting squeezed between her pants and belly. Her nerves had been so bad during the last dates that she’d thought she couldn’t keep anything on her stomach.
Given the ultimatum of picking out a mate or having one arranged was nerve racking. Add in Cohn’s growling displeasure throughout the meals and it became a disastrous affair time and again.
Eil walked beside her—arm’s length away per Cohn’s instruction. He was dressed in a matching tunic and pants set in pink and yellow. He wore his long hair in medium sized braids. Taller than Ahmil, yet a little shorter than Cohn. Unlike Ha-mesh or the others, Eil didn’t seem to mind the grunts and growls coming from Cohn as he walked behind them.
“I used to come here often with my grandparents when I was younger.” Eil glanced around, taking in the beautiful scenery. An array of flowers growing across the grounds left a beautiful aroma heavy in the air. “I haven’t been here in ages.”
Daliya wiped the sheen of sweat forming on her forehead. Inside the expansive domed building, humid air blew from the vents above. Thankfully, they weren’t walking around outside or she’d be a mess.
The thick moisture in the air caused her long-sleeved shirt, while lightweight and cotton to stick to her skin in places, creating an uncomfortable feeling. Her jeans didn’t fare any better.
Eil leaned over to her and pointed off to the right. Rainbow colored flowers with big floppy leaves grew in close bundles. “That is called a—”
“Step away from the human,” Cohn warned in a low voice.
Daliya glared at Cohn over her shoulder. “Cohn!”
One side of Eil’s mouth lifted into a smile. “I think he likes you, too.”
Daliya wanted to laugh. “Cohn? Like me? He can’t stand to be around me.”
* * *
“Cohn? Like me? He can’t stand to be around me.”
Daliya’s comment from the night before was still on his mind. Did he like Daliya?
He didn’t not like her.
She wasn’t as spoiled as he’d first thought. She was funny and witty. And pretty. He couldn’t forget how pretty she was.
Cohn glanced at Daliya as she talked to her date, Manar, the fifth male on her list.
Cohn growled. Daliya cut her eyes toward him and squinted, giving him what she called the “evil eye”. When she did that, he was supposed to snap his mouth shut and behave—her words. The look was supposed to scare him into submission.
Laughable.
Why would he be afraid of a female who weighed nothing? She squinted hard enough that her vision had to be obstructed. Cohn sighed and looked away.
Manar held a high position at the transportation facility that paid well and had decided to bring Daliya to a work function. It was absolutely boring. Cohn yawned discretely. He’d had plenty of assignments that had been boring, especially when he’d been assigned to watch over dignitaries or ambassadors from other worlds. This night was right at the top of the most boring place he’d ever had to be.
And he wasn’t the only bored one. He’d noticed that Daliya’s eyes had long since glazed over.
After scanning the crowd for potential threats, Cohn glanced her way again, hoping to receive a cue they could leave. The spot where Daliya stood was now empty. Manar stood talking to someone else.
Cohn crossed the short distance quickly. He knew he shouldn’t have been so far away from her, but Daliya had insisted on it. She didn’t want him lurking over her and her date. Not wanting to make a scene, he’d agreed.
Well, that wasn’t entirely true.
He’d stepped away from her because of the way she smelled this evening. Normally she smelled fresh, like soap, but today a different aroma clung to the insides of his nostrils and it delighted him.
Not only did her scent make him feel good but it also made him have thoughts of ripping that ridiculously tight dress from her body and having his way with her.
Cohn snatched Manar by the arm, spinning him around to face him. “Where is Daliya?”
Manar pulled his arm from Cohn’s grasp with a snarl. “Get your claws off me!”
Cohn held tight, bringing Manar in close so they were nose to nose. “Where. Is. Daliya?”
“I don’t know. She said she needed some air.”
Cohn released Manar and stepped away. “I’m removing your name from the list. She was not to leave our sight unaccompanied.”
“But I-I…”
Cohn left Manar standing and stuttering to himself. He headed straight for the exit and ended up at the end of a long corridor. He raced to the entrance and found it empty. Where could she be? Where would she have gone for fresh air?
His heart pounded and blood pumped through his veins. Nothing outside but snow and Daliya hated being cold. He went the other way, toward the back, dodging around those standing in his way and passed the emergency exit.
The door was cracked. Cohn paused and turned toward it to poke his head outside. Daliya leaned against the railing, head tilted up, looking at the sky.
His first impulse was to yell at her for leaving alone. They’d gone over the rules. She knew better. Then her downturned lips caught his eyes, the slight slump to her shoulders.
Cohn stepped outside. “It’s mild tonight.”
She didn’t startle at the sound of his voice, just gave a non-committal, “Mm hm.”
Cohn moved to stand next to her and glanced up, looking in the same direction as she did. Star systems and planets twinkled in the distance. The view was beautiful. He never looked up much anymore. Always so busy with what was happening on t
he ground, not really having the time to wonder about any place else. He left Teague about twice a year for vacations with his parents, but he never stayed gone long. Teague was his home and he loved his planet.
“Your view of space from Earth would’ve been much different from what you’re seeing now. How does it compare?” he asked.
She exhaled softly and the sound struck a chord in his heart. She waved her delicate hand at the sky. “I-I can’t even explain this. I never looked up and saw…anything like this. The colors are amazing. On Earth, when I used to look up, I might’ve saw one or two lights set against a black sky but nothing like this. I’ve seen it in pictures; the colors, planets, all that but to actually see it all the time?”
Once she finished speaking she sighed again and like before the sound pulled at Cohn. He glanced back to the sky and couldn’t imagine staring at nothing. He’d seen this beautiful wonder his entire life and often took it for granted.
“Do you still think of home?”
“All. The. Time.” She glanced at him. “I try not to though. It’s difficult.”
“Why don’t you want to think about it? It’s your home. All your family is there.”
She shook her head and watched the sky again. “I don’t know anyone who lives there now. All my family died many, many years ago. My sisters, my mom, dad, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandparents, friends, acquaintances…they’re all gone.”
How could he be so oblivious? For her two hundred years had gone by. “I’m sorry.”
“It isn’t your fault. Unlike some of the women here, I signed up to come here. I wanted to leave.” She laughed and shook her head again. “I was so stupid.”
It hurt to hear her speak like this. He couldn’t imagine not knowing Daliya now that he’d met her. “For coming here?”
“No, for the reason. I…I thought I would find a new adventure and I found…” Her head dropped forward and she fell silent.
Cohn used the tip of his finger to lift her chin. “Finish.”
Staring into his eyes, she whispered, “I never imagined that I would be this lonely.”
A tear escape the side of her eye, shredding his composure. “You have Jasmine and Synit and soon you’ll have a new mate.”
“It’s not the same, Cohn. I miss my mom and dad so much. I miss talking to my siblings on the phone. I miss being hugged. I just miss everything.” She sobbed and covered her face with her hands.
Cohn did the unthinkable. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around his client. Daliya melted against him, fitting perfectly against his body as if she belonged and he was made just for her. She tilted her head back and he did something else that he’d never thought he would ever do.
He kissed his client.
Her mouth tasted of sweets. Daliya must’ve had one of the desserts inside. His tongued delved inside her mouth, searching and exploring. Slowly at first, but when she moaned into his mouth, he lost it.
Cohn cupped the back of her head and took what he desired. His heart thrummed painfully against his chest, needing and wanting more of her. His cock strained against his pants, wanting desperately to be released.
When Daliya brushed her hand over it, Cohn moaned. Thoughts of spreading her legs wide and wrapping her legs around his waist came to his mind. He’d tried not to think of her in that position but at night, alone in his room, he couldn’t stop himself.
As he’d dreamed of doing, Cohn ran his fingers through her beautiful, thick hair. It was softer than he’d imagined. Daliya lifted on the tips of her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in closer. Cohn fisted a handful of her silken strands and smashed his lips against hers. The roar of his heartbeat drowned everything else. His chest felt too tight and his breath rasped from his throat in heavy pants.
“Oh! Excuse me!”
Cohn quickly released Daliya and spun around. A partygoer stood in the doorway, looking befuddled. Cohn stepped away from Daliya and motioned toward the door. “After you.”
Daliya blinked, confusion settling over her features. “Okay.”
Chapter Eight
I can’t believe I kissed her.
Cohn ran clawed hands across his scalp. He lay in bed, reeling from his acts the night before.
He’d screwed up. His job involved protecting her, not kissing her. Except, he’d wanted to kiss her the moment he caught sight of her standing in Jasmine’s doorway wearing those ridiculous shoes and form flattering dress.
Blowing out a breath, he groaned and rolled over to his back. Acting on his desire had been a mistake. Never before had he been tempted to kiss a client. Yet, here he was, lying in bed and wishing he could do it again.
Ancients.
“Incoming call from Zephon.”
Cohn frowned as he eyed his comlink. After not speaking or seeing Zephon in ages, Cohn found it odd that Zephon would suddenly contact him. He had thought about getting Ram and Zephon together for a meal since Ram was on planet. Cohn couldn’t remember the last time they’d all been together and enjoyed each other’s company. Maybe Zephon had the same idea.
He answered the call, “Cohn here.”
“Hello, Cohn, how is life treating you?” Zephon’s deep tenor was on the other end. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“You aren’t. How are you?”
“Do you still take on private security clients in your free time?” Zephon abruptly asked.
His failure to state his well-being didn’t slip Cohn’s attention. Zephon guarded his privacy fiercely, even with his closest friends. Concerned, Cohn sat up. “Not since becoming top enforcer. My duties keep me busy. Do you have a security issue? Do you still have your own private team?”
Being the largest jewel supplier on the planet and the star system had its advantages like prestige and wealth, but it also came with problems. Zephon was often the target of criminal intentions. He had a well-trained security team in place for his safety. Cohn had vetted them himself many years ago.
“I don’t need someone for me. I need someone for my mate.”
Surprised, Cohn chuckled. “I believe it’s natural for you to be concerned about your new mate and her security, but any of the guards on your staff are more than capable of guarding your new mate as well.”
“That’s the problem. Everyone on my private security team is male. A female will work better to be at her side at all times without causing issues if my mate has delicate issues to address. I’ll need her to be unassuming, loyal and discreet. I don’t want any personal information regarding my wife to get out.”
Thoughts whirled in Cohn’s mind. It wasn’t the oddest request he’d heard some of his clients make. He could understand why a female would prefer another female’s companionship but there had been something in Zephon’s tone. Something more than his usual tendency to be obsessive about his privacy. “I can research options and put together a list of names within the hour.”
An audible sigh came from the other end of the connection. “Thank you, I really appreciate your efforts with this.”
“Are you going to tell me what’s really going on, Zeph?”
His friend’s tone grew stilted once more. “Nothing. I just want the best for my mate.”
Cohn didn’t buy it. They might not have seen each other in a while but Cohn could still read him. He knew when something bothered Zephon or Ram and Zephon especially wouldn’t want to burden anyone with his problems if he could help it.
“Zeph. You can either tell me what’s going on, or I call Ram and we can both harass you for the information.”
“Ram already knows.”
Huh. Cohn sat back against his pillows and drove a hand through his hair in annoyance. “Now you have to tell me.”
“What I tell you cannot get out. You cannot tell any of the female security guards either. I’ll disclose that information once I officially hire the candidate.”
Intrigued, Cohn instantly agreed. “Your secret is safe with me. What’s going on?”
“My mate is pregnant and before you congratulate me, the child isn’t mine.”
Cohn’s jaw dropped. That wasn’t what he expected to hear. He swung to the edge of the bed and placed his feet on the warm tiled floor. “Ancients, Zeph. I’m sorry to hear that. She hasn’t been here that long. How did she find time to have an affair? Why keep her? Resolve your mating contract and give her to whoever the father is.”
Zephon growled and snapped. “It’s not like that! She arrived pregnant. The pregnancy was too early to detect while on Earth. She took her twin sister’s place on the registry in order to escape an abusive husband.”
For the second time, Zephon’s words left Cohn speechless, but he recovered quicker this time. “Have you notified the Bride Program officials?”
“I have not and I won’t,” he said firmly. “I’ve had private testing done through the medical facility. Mia, Ram’s mate, was able to help facilitate that for us. The child she carries is a female.”
“That’s great news! We need more human females.”
“It’s not great news, Cohn. If the child were male, that would be great news. We could announce the pregnancy and chalk her being pregnant as a mishap on the human side since their technology is substandard. But a female child? The authorities will want to arrange a mate for her the moment of her birth and her life will not be hers.”
Cohn hadn’t thought about that. “How would they claim rights to her? You claimed rights to your mate once your parents signed the contract. They were the ones who financed her trip from Earth.”
Zephon let out a defeated breath. “There is a clause in the contract regarding full human children. And let’s just say the terms aren’t good.”
Cohn sighed and buried his face in his palm at the trouble this would bring. “We have to keep this a secret.”
“My point exactly.”
“What are you going to do once the child is born?”
“Protect her with everything I have.”
Cohn: The Teague Bride Experiment: Intergalactic Dating Agency Page 6
