She slumped away, eager to get away from everyone, including Mekai. She couldn’t see him again. Not if she wanted to recover from her broken heart before her next appointment. It would be easier to avoid him rather than tell him their time together had to end. But could she truly get over him without saying goodbye?
***
Mekai sat on the lush hillside, brushing his hands through the soft grass. They didn’t have grass on Carbae, only rock. A lot of rock.
Would Nixie be happy there? Or would she regret her decision to live there with him? But what about his parents? Would they accept a Terran girl as his bride-to-be when relations with Earth remained tense? Perhaps their union would help.
He thought too far ahead. She hadn’t said she would return with him. She hadn’t even arrived.
He’d only been waiting a short period of time, yet his gut compressed in anxious anticipation. He would proclaim his love, present her with a ceremonial crown—and make sweet love to her.
Fingering the crown on his lap, he sighed. In the marketplace, he hadn’t found anything close to the elite mistrite crowns his family wore on Carbae. The precious metal was mined from the rock and forged into exquisite pieces of jewelry. He’d never cared to wear one, but Nixie would so everyone would know she was his princess. He didn’t want anyone else.
For now, she’d have to settle for the crown he’d hand-woven using thin branches of from the flowering tree beside him. Either way, no one could be as beautiful as she, no matter what she wore.
Clothing swished behind him as someone approached. He spun around and smiled. “I’m glad you came.” Reaching up, he helped her to sit beside him.
A light breeze tousled her dark locks. But the happiness he’d seen in her eyes during his week on Schedar had disappeared.
“What’s wrong, Nixie?”
She shook her head and laced her fingers with his as she stared out over the city.
Tourists meandered through the marketplace, some on the backs of slow, hairy uidisses. No one seemed to be in a rush, quite different than on Carbae where no one relaxed until their daily responsibilities had been fulfilled. Even as the prince, he had his own chores to do. His home had never been a vacation destination—more like a hidden colony—but with Nixie by his side, life on Carbae would be a dream come true. If, that is, she agreed to return with him.
He breathed in her scent: bimon, a citrusy fruit found on Ubetron. The fragrance suited her better than ipsum floating around the planet. Bimon was a marking of his own heritage, giving him hope she would travel home with him. But how had she washed away the ipsum when the drug flowed through the water? And where had she found the bimon? Exporting the fruit had been banned long ago. Had she found the scent for him, worn it to indicate her feelings for him? He glanced over at her, filled with optimism. “Nixie, I want to take you home with me. I want you to be my princess.”
She gasped, and he caught the tears streaming down her cheeks. He couldn’t tell if they were tears of joy or sadness. Perhaps both.
“I can’t. I’m not a princess. I’m a Suavita. I have a life here, people who care about me, who have always been by my side.”
His gut clenched. Had he misread her? He stroked her face, needing some contact. He refused to let her go. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, inside and out. Every time I see you, my heart skips a beat.” Revealing the crown of branches to her, he smiled. “Will you return to Carbae with me? Will you marry me and be my princess?” He hadn’t asked Madelia to marry him—still a custom on Carbae even when betrothed—saving the honor for the woman who would capture his soul. And now he’d found her, he could never love another, no matter what decision she made.
“Mekai, I want to. It’s just—”
“I don’t care if you’re Terran. We can make this work. All I need to know is if you feel the same way, if you love me.”
She nodded, wiping the tears away.
“Then say you’ll marry me.”
“Yes, I will.” She bowed her head.
With his insides cartwheeling, he presented her with the crown and then pulled her onto his lap. “Gods, I love you so much. I never thought I’d ever feel this way until I met you. Why don’t we leave right away, start our new life together?” He kissed her with hunger, engulfed in her intoxicating essence. His life was now complete, perfect.
She pulled away, gasping. “Mekai, I need a couple days. I have some things I need to take care of first.”
“That’s fine. I’ll help you.” He wanted to spend every minute with her, didn’t want to let her go until he had her on Carbae with him. Even then he would do his best to be away from her as little as possible. And if his parents disapproved, he’d settle elsewhere, anywhere, as long as Nixie remained by his side.
She placed her hand on his chest. “No. I need to do this myself.” She wouldn’t meet his gaze.
What could she not need his help with? “Nixie, what—”
She stroked his face. “I’m going with you. I just have a promise I have to keep tomorrow night. Then I’m all yours. We can leave the next morning.”
Pangs of guilt tore through her. She’d promised her heart, her life to Mekai, yet she would take one more client? It’s your job, and he knows it.
He lifted her chin and stared into her eyes, her soul. Could he tell she was hiding something from him?
Taking a deep breath, she smiled. She needed to change the topic, disintegrate the tension between them and forget her guilt. “Do you remember the first time we came here?”
She hadn’t been able to wait to practice some new techniques on her repeat client, having asked other Suavitas what their clients enjoyed. She’d spent so much time with him, and he’d showed her pleasure was just as fun to receive from a client as it was to give. But when she’d arrived, he’d worn a somber expression rather than the one full of lust she’d come to expect when she’d meet him in his room.
“What’s wrong?” she had asked.
He’d gazed up at her and reached for her hand. “I’m falling in love with you, Nixie. I don’t want to ever leave you.”
She couldn’t help but beam with joy. Finding a regular client as a level Two was rare, yet she’d done just that. “I’ll always be here for you when you visit. You’ll have priority over everyone else.” With the promise of his return, she could get through life, take other clients, picturing him during each session she was with another. She’d rather travel with him, but knew that dream wasn’t possible, not with the history of animosity between their cultures.
He’d leaned down and kissed her with sweet passion. And there on the hill, they’d made love, their time together not about her bringing him heightened pleasure, but to simply be together, as equals.
“I will never forget a second with you.” As he did their first time together, and every encounter thereafter, Mekai worshiped her body with his hands, mouth, and ravaging tongue.
He kissed his way up her stomach, and she drew in a quick breath. “Please don’t ever leave me.”
“I promise I’ll be by your side for the rest of my life. I love you, Nixie.” Hovering above her, he joined his body with hers.
She moaned, oblivious to everything but this moment. She hoped he kept his word, for she could never give her heart to another. She would always be his.
Chapter Eight
Nixie sighed as she left the suite. She hadn’t been apart from Mekai for even a day, and now emptiness washed over her. And guilt continued to build. What would he think if he knew she was about to service another man? The idea tore her up inside. Yet, she had to go, had to keep her word to Garesh.
With each measured step, she tried not to falter. How could she even think about keeping this appointment when she’d given her heart to Mekai, accepted his marriage proposal and beautiful, hand-made crown? She leaned against the wall in an effort to regain her composure. She couldn’t show up with hunched shoulders and a quivering lip. No, she had to be happy, filled with lu
st, ready to fulfill her client’s desires. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a bottle of ipsum massage oil and rubbed it onto her face. Anything to improve her mood.
Taking a deep breath, she stood up straight and attempted a smile, one she couldn’t make happen. No! Do this for Cyresse and Garesh. They’d always been there for her. She had to make them proud.
Reining in her guilt, she continued down the hall. This was her last appointment. She could do this for her makeshift family. The client hadn’t booked her for the entire night, so she’d be in long enough to give him a massage, release his arousal, and then she’d be done. And if her life didn’t work out with Mekai, she could return, become a level Four Suavita.
She arrived at the door and retrieved her card from her bag to disengage the lock. But she couldn’t. The man on the other side of that door would not be Mekai. She’d already promised him she would be with one man for the rest of her life, a promise she’d break almost immediately if she stayed.
Mekai mattered more to her than anything. He held her future. No, she would have to go back on her word to Garesh. As she turned to leave, the door opened.
An older man, covered in scales, stepped from the suite. He wore nothing but a towel around his waist. “Are you my Suavita? I’ve been anxiously awaiting your services since my quarantine period ended.”
A tear trailed down her cheek. She couldn’t leave now. “Yes, sir. Let’s get started.” She followed him inside and set up the massage table.
The sooner she finished, the sooner she could return to Mekai and discover what her future held.
***
Mekai turned the corner as Nixie followed an almost naked Elikashe man into his room. The door slid closed behind them.
He narrowed his eyes. Fire burned through his body. How could Nixie keep clients after what they’d shared? After agreeing to return with him? His heart ached as if splitting in two. Would she ever be able to leave this lifestyle behind, or would she continue to service others on Carbae? He couldn’t bear the thought.
Clenching his fists, he spun around, marched back to his suite, and packed his belongings. He had to leave, to get out. To clear his head, or for good, he wasn’t sure which. Why had he come here anyway? How could he have thought a Suavita would fall in love with him when obviously he’d been just another client to her? Not the woman of his fantasies, but a fake. He stormed through the halls, down the stairs, and out into the street. The air in the hotel was so thick with ipsum, he couldn’t think clearly. Yet, his anger cut through any desire.
All around him, blissful tourists and Schedarn citizens paraded around. Their joy only made him angrier. He had to get away, find some place secluded where he hadn’t shared tender moments with Nixie. As he raced through the streets, his heart pounded. Why did she have to betray him? And to think, he’d been willing to give up everything for her, including his parents’ blessing. For they would never accept her as his future wife. Most likely, they already had him betrothed to another.
Reeling to stop, he sank to the ground. Why hadn’t he thought this through? Nixie could end up shunned on Carbae. She’d never forgive him, then. Even if he forgave her first.
“Hello, handsome.”
Mekai took in miles of blue legs coming to a halt underneath a short, black leather skirt. As he continued his gaze over her flat stomach and barely-covered breasts, he cock stirred. Until he saw her face. “Madelia, what are you doing here?”
“Having a good time with Ben. You can join us if you’re interested.”
“No, sorry. I like the outfit, though.”
She grinned, swaying her hips in front of his face. “Ben looks even better in leather. I must thank you for setting us up together. I never expected him to enjoy taking orders.”
He cringed. “I didn’t need to hear that.”
“I thought you two knew everything about each other.” She eyed him up and down. “Every intimate detail.”
“We weren’t that close.” Could she darken his mood any further?
“Hey, don’t be grumpy with me. This is Schedar, the planet where all of your desires can come true. Go find yourself a Suavita.”
“I already have.” And she broke my heart.
“Well, go find another to wipe that scowl off your face. The first one obviously didn’t do her job.”
She’d done more than just her job; she’d loved him, made him fall in love with her.
He winced. Nixie.
No matter what he’d seen, he had to get back to her rather than let her be with another man. He loved her too much to give up without fighting for what he wanted. “I’ve got to go.”
“Well, be quick about it. Your parents are here, too, looking for you.”
“Shit.” He rushed back to the hotel, peering around every corner first to ensure he would not run into the king and queen of Carbae. Not before he claimed Nixie as his, and his alone. For he could never share her with another.
Chapter Nine
As Nixie rubbed the oils deep into the man’s scaled body, tears slid down her cheeks. She didn’t want to touch this man, be anywhere near him. Not when Mekai waited for her back in his suite. Why had she told Garesh she’d take this appointment? And now she’d have to live with the guilt of pleasuring another man after promising herself to her one true love.
“Oh, dear Suavita, you know how to relax my body.” The man rose onto his arms. “But I want you to fulfill my desires. I want to feel your hands and mouth on my cock. And if you’re really good, I’ll let you go for a ride.”
She shuddered, her stomach threatening to depart with its contents. She couldn’t stay in this room any longer. No, she had to leave.
The man swung off the table and sauntered toward his bed, stroking his shaft as he went. “You coming?”
Backing away, she tripped over her appointment bag. I can’t do this.
She regained her balance before she fell, and raced for the door. Nothing could make her stay. Waiting for the door to open, she realized she’d left her bag behind. She considered returning for it. No, she wouldn’t need it again. Get out!
Escaping into the corridor, she fled for Mekai’s room.
“Suavita, get back here.”
Peering over her shoulder, she cringed as the man stood outside his room in the buff, shaking his fists. How had she thought she could handle going from one man like him to another, star cycle after star cycle? Even without Mekai, she would need to settle down, for that’s what she’d desired all along.
Out of breath, she slid her card through the reader to Mekai’s suite. If he asked her to leave now, she would. She had to get away from this life, this planet. Leave it all behind.
The door opened, revealing an empty room. She went farther inside. Maybe she’d find him in the shower. She’d join him and wash away all signs of the other man. But Mekai had left. Even his bag was missing.
Dropping to the bed, she grabbed the pillow, which still retained Mekai’s scent.
She pulled it into her chest as sobs wracked her body. He’d abandoned her.
But why? Had he changed his mind, decided he didn’t want a Terran girl like her?
The world spun around her. She couldn’t go on like this, refusing to take clients or become a level Four. No, that option ended when she’d walked out of her last appointment. But without Mekai, she had nothing.
Help me!
She sucked in a breath. Cyresse?
Her mentor’s cry came again. Those two monsters she’d left Cyresse with could kill her. She had to help, even if it meant her own death.
The door to the suite burst open. Garesh stood in front of her, his eyes bulging, his hair and clothes a frenzied mess. “Your client, he’s mad, but, oh gods…. Nixie, it’s Cyresse. She was found crawling out of her domus. We need to get to the valetudenarium.”
She wiped her eyes, then leaped from the bed. Nothing meant more to her now than the woman who’d raised her. Besides Garesh, she had no one else. She never had. “
What happened?”
“I can only guess it was a client. They found her covered in blood, cuts all over her body. Oh gods, I should have convinced her to retire.”
If she took the time to comfort Garesh, she would break down, too. Grabbing his hand, she bounded down the stairs and raced outside. As she ran, she tried to mind-speak with Cyresse, but once again failed. With so many tourists around, they had to dodge to the alleyways to reach the valetudenarium faster.
The tall building loomed in front of her. The valetudenarium was usually filled with tourists who’d pushed their bodies past their limits. What condition would she find Cyresse in? Would she lose someone else she loved? With Garesh still too distraught to tell her anything, she had to get in there and find out for herself.
Altrix rushed through the halls, traveling from patient to patient. In the waiting room sat Suavitas, soothing those worried about patients.
“Are you Nixie?”
She spun toward the firm, female voice. “I am.”
“My condolences to you.” The woman in blue scrubs placed a hand on her shoulder.
Nixie gasped. “What do you mean? What happened?”
“She lost so much blood.” The altrix nodded to a young Suavito in the far corner. “When he found her, she was barely hanging on. We just couldn’t save her.”
“No.” Her heart filled with dread. “I don’t believe you. Let me see her.”
“Follow me then.” The altrix opened the sealed doors, ushering Nixie into the world beyond. Patients lay in beds attached to various tubes and monitors. The sexual energy zinging around the rest of the planet failed to penetrate this space.
Coming to an abrupt halt, the altrix glared at Garesh. “I told you last time, sir, you are not recorded as family and therefore must wait outside.”
His frenzied gaze turned hard and focused. He gripped Nixie’s hand with more strength than she’d expected from him. Through clenched jaws, he spoke. “The woman you claim as dead is my wife. I am her husband. Just ask our daughter here.”
Beyond Reach: SciFi Romance Page 4
