by Lisa Lace
That wasn't a problem. I wasn't judging him based on what other people thought. I was judging him by what he did and our interactions over the past twelve hours.
He was a jerk. An asshole. An inconsiderate wretch.
It felt good to call him a wretch. I didn't know the exact definition of the word, and I couldn't easily look up the meaning, but it felt like an appropriate description here. How could he expect me to obey him? I seethed over the idea until my rational mind offered an explanation for his behavior.
He probably expected it because the ceremony included things all women were supposed to promise on this planet. We weren't on Earth anymore. Still, I wasn't from Yordbrook. I wasn't sure what or how much I was willing to change about myself.
For a moment, I felt trapped and terrified. What had I done to myself? I couldn't even leave this town without taking a three-week trip back to the station. If I managed to do that by myself, I would have to talk someone into beaming me back up. I had no idea how to do that because I had no money. I was stuck here for a year, no matter what.
My phone was now sewn securely into the hem of my dress, thanks to the needle and thread of a kindly innkeeper's wife. I hadn't had to leave all parts of my old life behind. And thank goodness I didn't have to sleep with him unless I wanted to. That was part of the TerraMates contract.
Then I had a terrible thought. Had Jesse signed it? After seeing the two of them together, I suspected Porter had organized my marriage himself. Jesse hadn't known I was his bride when he saw me, which meant he hadn't seen my profile picture.
If he didn't know about the restrictions on sex, I would have to tell him. But how would I do it? He seemed to love his father, and I could threaten to tell his father if he tried to force himself on me.
I thought back to my arrival and how he had looked before he opened his mouth and ruined my impression. I felt a stirring of arousal from the memory. But he was too much of a jerk for the feeling to last. It didn't matter if the man was a sex god (and he looked like he might be one between the sheets). If he was an asshole, it was a big turn-off.
It was a good thing I wasn't thinking about the broad chest, bulging tattooed biceps, and the six-pack from heaven I caught a glimpse of earlier. The laundress had stopped by and asked if there were any other dirty clothes. Without thinking, he took off his shirt and threw it in her basket. By the look on her face, she was used to it. Maybe she had asked him on purpose to get a glimpse of him.
I guess it must be all the hard labor on the farm, but Jesse Melnyk had one sexy body.
I still couldn't reconcile his appearance with the way he treated me. If I didn't feel like I cared about him and he cared about me, there was no way I was sleeping with him.
We needed to talk about this as soon as possible. I didn't want him to think he was going to get it on and be disappointed when I turned him down. He would be frustrated and angry if that happened. I didn't know if Jesse was dangerous, and I didn't want to find out.
We walked out of the church, and Jesse helped me up into the carriage. I assumed he was only providing assistance because there were people around. The servants would ensure Mr. Melnyk got home safely. I sat as far away from him as I could. For the first time, I felt afraid. He hadn't displayed any kindness or interest to me.
What if he tried to abuse me? As far as I knew, TerraMates investigated all their applicants, but was that even possible on a world like Yordbrook?
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he said harshly.
I didn't answer because I didn't know what to say.
"Speak up. You've no need to fear me. I won't be a cruel husband."
Wouldn't he? I accidentally shook my head.
"You don't believe me? What kind of a person do you think I am? I've never harmed a girl or woman in my life, and I don't intend to start now." He looked at me in consternation. "Why don't you speak? You were talking enough in the middle of the ceremony," he said, his face sour.
When there was a moment of silence, I grabbed it. "I would speak if you gave me more than three seconds to answer you," I murmured. "How am I to know your disposition? I don't know you. You've been rude to me since I arrived. I'm starting to feel a little nervous that I married you."
He cut me off.
"You think I've been rude? And angry?" He was looking upset now.
"Yes," I told him directly. I might as well be clear.
He mulled the thought over for a while. "Perhaps you're right," he said. "I apologize if I was."
"Thank you," I said, graciously.
We sat in awkward silence.
"I wish to be a good husband." He didn't look at me. "I may need assistance."
He had paused before the word assistance. I wondered if he had ever asked for help before. Jesse had given an inch. I supposed I could yield as well.
"I'll try. But I've never been a wife before. I might not know how to do it properly either."
He frowned. "Are you pure? I thought you had already lain with a man."
My eyes got wide. "Pure? Oh no. Why would you think that?"
"You said you didn't know how to do it properly. It was surprising because off-worlders are considered to be different. I mean, women from other planets are thought to be more experienced."
"More experienced in what?" I asked.
"Sexual things," he said.
"If you're asking if I'm a virgin, I'm not pure."
He didn't say anything and stared straight ahead.
I couldn't seem to stop myself from talking. "Not a lot, and only with one guy. It was a long time ago. It might feel like I'm pure." What was I saying? He was blushing again.
"Speaking of sex," I said, ignoring his discomfort. "TerraMates had a list of rules for the newlyweds. Did you happen to read it?"
"No," he shook his head. "Porter did it all."
"Did he forge your signature, too?" Jesse nodded. "Great," I said, huffing out my breath and crossing my arms over my chest. I stared off to the side of the carriage at the dark green foliage of the trees lining the road.
"Wait, what you mean by forge?"
"Someone signed a contract. Either you or Porter did, I guess."
"I gave him a letter that said he was acting on my behalf. Everything's legal. Don't worry," he said.
I was surprised, though I shouldn't have been.
"But what were you saying about lying together?"
"We only lie together if we both agree. If I don't want to have sex with you, I don't have to."
"But we must consummate the marriage," he insisted.
"Says who?"
"Otherwise, the ceremony is not official."
"What?" The marriage had to be binding, or I wouldn't get the money to go to school and become a teacher. I saw my dreams going down in flames and started to realize I would have to make sacrifices if I wanted to achieve them.
"We'll say we did it," I said. "No problem."
He looked embarrassed. "There'll be a witness to verify the activities."
"A witness?" I was shouting now.
"They won't be in the room."
"Where are they going to be, then?"
"Usually, they wait in the hall or downstairs at the inn. They'll be able to confirm we consummate the marriage."
I started to laugh nervously. "And how do they confirm it?"
Jesse shrugged. Apparently, he didn't want to tell me. That couldn't be good.
"At this point, I have no desire to lie with you," I said, flashing him an irritated look.
He studied my face for a moment and finally let a smile appear on his face. It was dazzling. It was the first time I saw genuine emotion on his face, and he was incredibly attractive when he smiled.
I caught my breath. Had I just said I didn't want to sleep with him? What was I, stupid or something?
"Perhaps I can change your mind," he said huskily. For a moment, his blue eyes appeared smoky and made my breath accelerate.
Had Jesse been holding out on me? Di
d he save up his charm and only release it when needed? Well, I was good at resisting attractive guys. Many of them had tried to take me home when I was working the late shift at the fancy restaurant back home. Some of them had been handsome and extremely persuasive.
At the time, I had integrity, a plan, and a dream. Also, I had a job the next morning.
Maybe I had been scared of letting any of them get close to me.
Now everything was different from Earth. I had married Jesse. We were going to be living as husband and wife for a year until I requested my divorce and TerraMates helped me get it quickly and quietly, just as they promised in their paperwork. I would head back to Earth to register for my bachelor of education degree. In five years, I would become a full-fledged teacher, living my dream life.
I wasn't worried about work the next morning right now.
He looked to the front and called out a command to turn into the yard. He still radiated sexuality, and I told myself that I could resist him. Especially if he was going to continue being a jerk. I hoped I wouldn't let myself sleep with an asshole.
When we pulled in, he came around, offering his hand. "Thanks," I said, taking it and stepping out. His hand was warm and firm. I felt my face flush as my body tingled where he touched me. Resisting my husband was going to be harder than I had originally thought. He dropped my hand, and we walked toward the house.
"Jesse?" I said, looking as innocent as possible.
"Yes?" he said, turning his head to look at me.
"In case you feel the need to address me directly, my name is Annalee."
His face got red. "Indeed," he said, as we reached the house. A servant opened the door for us. He glanced sideways again and gave me a look that sent shivers through my body. "Welcome to the Melnyk homestead, Annalee. Our home is your home."
Chapter Six
JESSE
I stood by the bar and watched as my new wife, Annalee, held my father's hands and danced with him where he sat in his chair. If she had tried to do anything on purpose that would get her into my good books, it would have been to honor my father.
I felt myself softening towards her as I watched her enjoy her time with him. He had already told me twice how lucky I was to have found such a gem. I didn't agree with his assessment, but she was becoming less annoying.
When the music changed, Porter walked over and spoke to Annalee. She smiled at him with a light in her eyes that didn't shine for me. He pulled her into his arms and whirled around the room, barely avoiding a crash into the other dancing couples. The warmth I felt towards her disappeared abruptly.
They spun madly in circles. Annalee threw her head back, laughing, and Porter grinned from ear to ear. He had no right to be making my bride laugh like that. She should only laugh for me.
The inn's doors opened, and two men wearing dark clothes entered the room. I wondered who they were. Myron walked over to the pair, hopefully intending to tell them this was a private party.
As the men turned around, I caught sight of their faces. The men were from the Bureau of Purity. Why were they here? My eyes flickered to where I had last seen Porter, but he had vanished.
One of the Bureau agents scanned the room, and his gaze stopped on me. He lingered for a moment. I felt myself start to sweat. Thankfully they nodded and walked out.
Everyone thought they had gone back to the city after they murdered their potential offender. I didn't have anything for them to find, but they would make anyone worried.
I noticed my father beckoning to me from across the room, and I went to him quickly, hoping everything was all right. I wondered if seeing the Bureau of Purity men had upset him.
"Jesse, my boy," he said, giving me a sympathetic look as I crouched down beside his chair so he could look me in the eyes. "Stop scowling at your wife. If you don't want your friend charming your bride, go and get her. She's yours now. Not his."
He wasn't upset about the Bureau of Purity men at all. He was concerned about me. My father was the kindest man you could ever meet. Watching him die a slow death was painful, but there was nothing I could do for him. I felt a suffocating feeling in my chest every time I thought about his future.
"She doesn't want to dance with me," I said, staring at the floor.
"That's because you're glowering at her. Try putting a smile on your face, boy. You look like you're at a funeral, not your wedding. I know this isn't the usual situation, but you'd be surprised at how many people are surprised by each other after they get married. She's a wonderful lass, Jesse. She could be good for you if you give her a chance."
"Of course I'll give her a chance!"
"Right," my father said, giving me a skeptical look. "You're just waiting for the right opportunity, aren't you?"
"I've given her a chance," I said, exhaling and searching the room for Annalee. She and Porter were sitting at a table together and drinking wine.
She looked like she was flirting shamelessly with Porter, which made me upset. I hoped there wasn't any morelia involved.
The substance was illegal. Many an unscrupulous man had used it to get a woman into bed when she wasn't the least bit interested in him. Someone was still growing it. Morelia was available for purchase if you knew where to find it.
I didn't mind if the woman took it voluntarily, but it made me sick to my stomach when I imagined using it on someone who was unwilling. I hoped no one had brought any here tonight.
"You haven't given her the slightest chance," my father said, shaking his head at me. "Go and dance with your wife. Be your naturally charming self, Jesse. Goodness knows you're handsome enough to woo any woman. Annalee is willing if you make the effort."
He looked at me with a sad expression in his eyes. I didn't want to disappoint my father, especially if we only had a little time left together.
I would do well to listen to his advice. He and my mother had been deliriously happy together my whole life until she passed away. He knew what he was talking about when it came to relationships. Then again, he and my mother had been in love, so the cards were stacked in their favor from the beginning.
"How about this? Pretend she's a beautiful girl you've seen at an inn when you're out with friends. Go and talk to her. Ask her to dance. Pay attention to her, and you'll be well on your way to a happy marriage, son."
"Yes, Father," I said, waving my hand from my head to his as a gesture of love and respect. I rose and walked across the room. I hoped this wasn't going to be a hard thing to do. I had approached many girls over the course of my life. Most had been more than happy to receive my attention.
Annalee looked up from her conversation with Porter as I approached and the smile fell from her face. She swallowed and looked down at the floor. Was I already screwing this up?
"Hey, Jess," Porter said, sounding a little too jovial. He had been drinking the free-flowing wine and ale and was intoxicated. His expression turned uncomfortable.
"I just had a dance with Annalee, and she's been begging me for another, but you know how my knee gets."
I did. He injured it in a carriage accident years ago and it had never been the same. I was sure he wasn't feeling much pain now considering the amount of alcohol in his system. Still, he was giving me an opening, and I would take it.
"Would you like to dance, Annalee?"
Her name felt strange on my lips. She noticed I used her name, but I also sensed she knew I felt uncomfortable with it. I was trying too hard.
"Sure," she said with a forced smile. "What are weddings without dancing?"
Porter smiled at us hopefully, raising his glass to me and then turning away.
It was time to extinguish any rumors. People had been giving me strange looks because the bride was dancing so much with the best man and not the groom. I wouldn't have Annalee's good name besmirched by nasty gossip.
"Indeed," I said, pulling her to me. As I tapped my foot to the beat, I began to whirl her around the room. Soon she was laughing as we linked arms and moved between tw
o rows of couples. When we got to the end of the line and lifted our hands to join them, becoming part of an arch, I felt my fingers tingle as they touched hers.
I smiled again, and her eyes softened. Maybe tonight would be fun after all.
ANNALEE
After the last couple had swept down between two rows of people facing each other, each man and woman began to dance with their partner again. Jesse pulled me in close, and I felt my whole body catch fire in a way it hadn't with Porter.
Porter was charming and handsome. He was kind to me. I guess I had a slight crush on him. But Jesse was another story altogether. He made me angry and scared. Right now I was filled with lust. He smelled good, and he was a ridiculously good dancer, which surprised me. It seemed that, on this planet, the men danced as often as the women. It was a pleasant change from the I'm-too-cool-to-dance attitude of many of the men I knew back on Earth.
As I stared into my husband's eyes, I reminded myself that he wasn't exactly a man. The thought gave me a naughty thrill.
"What are you thinking of, wife?" Jesse said, his eyes smoldering.
I didn't know what to say, but I certainly wasn't going to tell him I thought he was an alien, and it was turning me on.
"I'm thinking about what happens next," I said, trying not to blush. That was true, wasn't it? I was thinking of the night and what he would do to me when we were supposed to consummate the marriage.
I wasn't going to sleep with him, was I?
My body wanted to, and if the hardness I felt pressing up against me was any indication, his body wanted mine as well. I supposed that was good. If he could be less of a jerk, maybe my mind would feel like sleeping with him as well as my body.
The music changed, and he pressed himself against me, taking my hands and putting them on his shoulders. His hands dropped to my hips, pulling me tightly against his body.
"This is the bride and groom's dance," he said.
"I see."
"And it involves our bodies pressed firmly against each other," he said, somehow decreasing the distance between our bodies even though I hadn't thought it possible. People circled us and began to sing lyrics along with a slow, sweet melody played on one of the stringed instruments.
