Bound by Fate

by Maddie Taylor

  The polished wood in her delicate hands stirred erotic images of her gripping something other than a pool cue. Damn!

  “That’s right,” he replied, his mounting desire making him sound curt and much too gruff. He cleared his throat, suggesting in a more affable tone, “Give it a try.”

  She aimed for the red solid near the far side pocket and, as he suspected it would, when the three fell, the cue ball followed it in.

  “I did it,” she exclaimed.

  “Yes, but the goal is to keep the white ball on the table as you sink your object balls—the numbered solids and stripes. If you sink it, that’s what we call a scratch, and you lose your turn.” He reset the cue and the three where they were. “Try again, but instead of hitting it straight on, you’re going to do a stop shot by striking the cue just a little below center.”

  He bent over her again, lined it up, and, with him guiding her hands, this time, the white stopped instead of following the red into the hole.

  She glanced at him, smiling. “It worked!”

  It was the first genuine smile he’d seen from her. The blue flecks in her irises seemed more pronounced and made her eyes gleam brighter. Dimples he hadn’t noticed before appeared in her cheeks. Her spontaneity made him grin.

  “Want to learn another?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “For a follow shot, hit the cue just above center.” He showed her how, using the five. When he sent the orange ball the length of the table, the white ball slowly followed. “There’s also a draw shot, which is like the stop, but by aiming lower, a tip or two below center”—he paused to demonstrate—“it will draw, or roll, right back to you.”

  “Cool beans,” she breathed in awe.

  He couldn’t keep from laughing. “I’m pretty darn sure that isn’t a Primarian expression.”

  “You’d be pretty darn right,” she replied, sending him a saucy glance over her shoulder. Then she giggled. “I must have picked it up from Dr. Juna. She says it all the time.”

  The turn of her head and the slight shake of her shoulders sent the sleek fall of her hair pouring over his arm. With his sleeve rolled up to the elbow, the softness brushing against his skin felt like silk. A light floral fragrance wafted up to his nose. If that wasn’t enough to stir parts of him that shouldn’t, her low, throaty voice had him hard and aching.

  Beck abruptly stood and moved away, ostensibly to retrieve the chalk on the far end of the table. His real goal was to put distance between them while striving not to show how much she affected him by revealing the uncomfortable bulge in the front of his pants.

  Adria stood, too, and leaned her tempting behind against the edge of the table. He tried focusing on transferring blue chalk to the pad on the tip of his cue stick rather than on her delectable hind parts, without much success.

  Paying entirely too much attention to chalking his cue, he paused briefly to blow off the excess, willing his erection to go away. Thinking of her giant brother, flanked by a dozen of his warriors, all as big or bigger than him, surrounding him to separate his head and appendages—one in particular—for claiming her innocence helped only slightly. Because mixed among those less-than-pleasant thoughts of death and dismemberment was the notion of claiming Adria’s innocence in the first place. One look at her, and he knew she would be worth the risk.

  “If you pick things up so easily, I’ll have to watch what I say, or you’ll be cussing in the clinic and shocking your patients.” His attempt at teasing, using the same light tone as before, fell short when his voice came out raspy in the wake of his rising desire for her.

  Adria seemed not to notice, however, and questioned in a poor imitation of his Southern twang, “Did ya know ya drop a lot of your Gs, darlin’?”

  He shook his head, and she burst into giggles. Had two sips of beer gone to her head?

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”

  “Spit and vinegar is my guess,” he replied with a wink.

  Her puzzled expression revealed another gap in her translator, but she shrugged it off and asked instead, “What’s a Texan? You’ve mentioned that more than once. Is that the name of your clan or tribe?”

  He forced a chuckle when what he really wanted to do was take her in his arms, taste her full pink lips beneath his, and explore the sweetness of her mouth with his tongue.

  “It’s where I’m from. Specifically, the city of Ft. Worth in the great state of Texas.”

  “A great state,” she repeated. “That makes it sound very large.”

  “It is, both in size and population. Residents of Ft. Worth outnumber the entire population of Primaria three times over. All of Texas has one hundred times as many.”

  Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “How will so many possibly fit on Terra Nova? It’s not much bigger than my homeworld.”

  He’d often wondered that, too. The original plan was to establish the infrastructure on the colony and bring residents from Earth in small increments over the course of a decade or more. With the recent increase in catastrophic weather and the adjustments to their scientists’ already dire predictions, the timetable has been stepped up to five years.

  “Not everyone is on board with the integration of our people. We have about thirty million who are, however.”

  “That’s so many,” she breathed. “But wait. One hundred times the population of Primaria is thirty million, which is only that of your Texas. Don’t you have several other states?”

  “Yes. We have fifty, or we did until we lost California and the southern half of Florida, and nearly two hundred other countries. The Earth was home to nine billion less than a century ago, but war, drought, famine, and disease has cut ours numbers in half.”

  “You lost countless more than we did in the Rain of Fire.”

  “Yes, and we still didn’t learn from our mistakes, which is why we are here building a new home for ourselves.”

  “But if only thirty million are interested in coming here. What happens to those left behind?”

  He shook his head. “Nothing good. Many don’t believe in the science. Just as many think God will protect them. Others believe this is the end of days as prophesized thousands of years ago. Whatever their philosophy, they are free people and can decide for themselves. I believe enlightenment will eventually come, but by then it may be too late.”

  Her gaze skittered away, and she stared out over the crowded bar. Beck could tell from the pained look encompassing her lovely face, her thoughts were light years away from Terra Nova and the Watering Hole.

  “Some of our people are as fixed in their beliefs,” she conceded quietly, and he knew in which direction they flew.

  “Your purists,” he stated, familiar with the faction of Primarians who were vehemently against the integration, to the point of violence, attempted murder, and treason.

  “They are a breed unlike most of our people, filled with extreme amounts of arrogance, prejudice, and hatred for those who aren’t their kind. Though they try to cloak their actions in faith, it isn’t in accordance with our Maker’s teachings.”

  “We have similar hate groups at home. Rife with ignorance and intolerance, they protest the integration as unnatural, or as sacrilege, when it is actually their only chance at salvation.”

  She fell silent, staring at him thoughtfully for a moment. “The more we know of one another, the more similarities we find, and they aren’t all favorable.”

  Regrettably, the laughter and elusive smile of moments ago had been replaced by a heavy mood and a furrowed brow.

  “We sent a team of our best scientists to Earth. Have they offered no solutions?”

  “Afraid not. Based on the last report I received from Maggie, our ambassador, and Fleet Commander Rothke, devastating tidal waves, earthquakes, and tornadoes are now a daily occurrence. The damage was many years in the making, and an overnight solution isn’t going to fix it, I’m afraid.”

  “How awful.”

  It was worse th
an awful. Beck did the math months ago and recognized even a five-year time table was fatally optimistic. With each ship capable of carrying five hundred passengers and the round trip taking twelve weeks, they’d need a fleet of a thousand ships working full-time to transport so many. The Primarian ships combined with the entire contingent in the newly formed Global Interstellar Force totaled only fifty. Even if the planet held out for a decade, and more ships were built during that time, tens of millions would be left behind.

  Never expecting this impromptu pool lesson that was supposed to be fun and relaxing to turn to one of doom and gloom, he observed quietly, “This is a heavy conversation to have over a glass of cold beer and a game of pool.”

  Her extraordinary eyes rose to meet his. “We veered down a very dark path, didn’t we?”

  “Shall we backtrack into the light?”

  “Absolutely, otherwise my sleep tonight will be plagued with nightmares.”

  “We can’t have that.” He dipped his head toward the table. “Let’s play a practice game. You can learn about spin, speed, squirt, and angles later.”

  “That’s a relief. Because what you just said is Qexcean to me.”

  “I’m assuming that’s a lot like Greek,” he quipped.

  Her head tipped to the side. Clearly at a loss, she asked in an endearingly confused tone, “Huh?”

  “It’s not important. Want me to break?”

  She nodded eagerly. “Just go easy on me, since this is my first time.”

  The question brought to mind an image of her in his arms, but not in a crowded bar playing pool. Instead, she was naked in his bed, dark hair fanned out over his pillow, fascinating eyes burning with desire, as he introduced her to another, more intimate game.

  “Beck?”

  He cleared his throat and smiled at her, though he knew it was strained from the pressure of his uncomfortably hard dick digging into his zipper.

  “Yeah, Adria. I’ll take it easy on you.” He referred to pool–nothing more. Although he wanted it all.

  Don’t get any ideas, Kincaid, he silently scolded himself. Her brother has an army of seven-foot warriors at his disposal. Not to mention, you’ve been down this pothole-ridden road to love before and got your ass handed to you.

  He’d sworn never to get romantically involved again. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy a friendly game of pool with an engaging, intelligent woman.

  Once he reset the table, he broke. This second time, with his shot charged by the frustration of wanting a woman he couldn’t have, especially after enduring an extended period without one—nearly a full year—he sank five.

  Eyes wide with a stunning white smile, Adria breathed, “Awesome. I think I’m going to like this game.”

  He stepped away and dipped his chin toward the table. “Take your first shot.”

  “But several balls went in. Don’t you get to go again?”

  “We’re playing Beck’s rules tonight. Once you get the hang of it, we’ll play for real and keep score.”

  “For points, beer, or favors?”

  Desperately wishing it could be the latter, he firmly answered, “Points.”

  “Okay, but it might take longer than tonight for me to become proficient.” Her warning turned out to be prophetic because, on her next shot, she scratched again.

  For the next hour, he endured the torture of watching her bend over the table, flip, gather, and twist her long skein of hair over one shoulder or the other to keep it out of the way, and bite her lip repeatedly as she sighted down the cue. And, more often than not, her round ass ended up pointed in his direction.

  If he didn’t know better, he’d suspect her of doing it to tease him.

  Despite the constant ache, with her quick wit and easy laughter, he realized he hadn’t enjoyed himself so much since arriving on this hot-as-fuck rock.

  When they left the air-conditioned bar at close to midnight, the heat hadn’t abated much, the air so heavy with moisture it instantly dampened his skin. It reminded him of summers in muggy Fort Worth, except the average 82 percent humidity seemed comfortable by comparison.

  Beside him, Adria sighed. Clearly feeling the heat, too, she raked her hair into a high ponytail and secured it with a tie she pulled from her pocket.

  “It’s been sweltering hot since I arrived here. I’ve heard rumors of a cool dry winter season, but I’m beginning to think they’re made up.” She tugged at the gathered strands then ran her hand the length of them before dropping her arms. “I’m going to have to cut my hair. There is just too much of it for this heat.”

  “Don’t you dare!” he burst out, eyeing her glossy midnight mane. “It’s too beautiful.”

  A soft smile curved her lips when she looked up at him. “Thank you for introducing me to pool, Beck. I had fun.” A little tipsy from the rum and Coke he brought her in lieu of beer, she hiccupped. Her hand flew up to cover her mouth. “Excuse me,” she exclaimed. “I’m not quite sure about the soda mixed with alcohol. Vilo might be more my style.”

  Despite the dark, Beck noticed the rise of color in her cheeks. She was an enticing mix of innocence and sensuality, which made it difficult for him to focus—just as it had been all evening—but he persevered. “Vilo?” he asked.

  “The fermented fruit drink I mentioned earlier.”

  “Ah, I should have guessed. Next time, I’ll order you wine. I’m betting it’s close to the same thing.”

  “Next time?” Her youthful eagerness showed on her face in the moonlight. “You’d want to do this again?”

  He knew he shouldn’t. She was simply too tempting, and he could tell by her expression, she was forming an attachment already. But his mouth acted independent of his brain, and he heard himself say, “Sure. I had fun, too.”

  What are you, Kincaid, some kind of masochist? The general’s little sister who equates to Lana’s sister-in-law is not for you.

  Once again, he didn’t heed the voice of reason. “We could try darts, which is a less complex game, although it often gets competitive. They have a tournament here every Wednesday night.”

  “That’s tomorrow.”

  “So it is.” He grinned. “You got plans?”

  Adria laughed. “Hardly. I know you, and my brother’s men, who wouldn’t dare be seen with me unless on duty. That’s it.”

  “You don’t date?”

  She frowned. “Um...”

  “Go out with a man socially, to get to know him better, and perhaps, fall in love.”

  She dropped her gaze, staring down at her hands. “For what purpose? You know about what happened.”

  “The radiation affected you, yes, but is procreation the only reason Primarians get together? What about companionship?”

  “In the past twenty years, there were many such matings out of necessity. With the arrival of the human females, that has changed. Procreation is very much the reason we get together now.”

  “You don’t intend to ever take a mate?”

  She shook her head. “I chose a career, instead.”

  “Where I come from, women can have both.” He studied her a moment, seeing the twin flags of color in her cheeks even in the dark. “It sounds lonely for you.”

  “Here, it is. At home, I have friends and family, and there is plenty to keep me busy.”

  “Hmm... Sometimes a supportive family and close friends aren’t enough.”

  “I’m content with my life, Beck.”

  “Except while you’re here without either. I’ll stand in for them, if you’ll let me.”

  Her lips tipped down ever-so-slightly, but just as quickly her dimples flashed. Then she glanced up at him and said almost too effusively, “If your offer of friendship includes Cinnabon and pool lessons, but excludes coffee and beer, I’d like that.” She turned to leave. “Good night.”

  “Wait.” He grabbed her hand, stilling her. “I’ll walk you home.”

  “Lana’s place is only a few blocks away.”

  “You shouldn�
�t be out after dark without your guard.”

  “Why?”

  “Why?” he repeated, thoroughly mystified.

  “Yes. What could happen? I know the way, so I won’t get lost.”

  Alone, on a colony of men, most of whom hadn’t had a woman for as long as he, and she had to ask? Was there no crime where she was from, or was she really that naïve? In either case, was it up to him to enlighten her?

  No. But he felt compelled to see her home safely.

  “It’s on my way.”

  She arched a brow at him. “But don’t you live in the opposite direction?”

  “No arguments. You’re getting walked home.”

  “All right,” she sighed, sounding resigned.

  Placing his hand on her back, he moved her along. While they walked in companionable silence, she easily kept pace without him, adjusting his stride to hers. Although shorter than him by several inches, she still topped six feet. He wouldn’t have to fold himself in half to kiss her or bend like a pretzel while he... And like that, his mind quickly put Adria in his arms and his bed.

  Searching for a nonsexual topic, he blurted out, “What time do you get done at the clinic tomorrow?”

  “We close after all the patients are seen, which is usually around suppertime.”

  “I’ll pick you up then. The tournament doesn’t start until eight. We’ll have plenty of time to go by Milton’s for a burger. They’re vegetable based, nothing like the beef we have at home, but the fries are decent.”

  “I’ve never had burgers before, so I won’t know what I’m missing. Besides, I like vegetables.” Having arrived at the singles residence, their steps slowed. “I’ll look forward to it. Good night, Beck.” She started up the stairs but paused on the first and turned back. “Did you play darts and have burgers with Lana, too?”

  “Sometimes. She wasn’t much of a game player. We mostly talked. When I finally coerced her into going to the bar, we fell into a pattern of once-a-week beer and nachos. I’m going to miss her. Except for her painting skills, which weren’t much. She spent more time cleaning up her messes than painting.”

  “I’m her replacement, then?”