Intergalactic Loyalties
Page 19
On Tarnan, she at least had a fighting chance. Things were different than they were on Earth, but that didn’t necessarily mean they were bad. Learning of her brother’s betrayal, permanently losing the life she’d known, had made her stop and evaluate things a little differently. Zayne was distant, but he’d never been cruel to her. He’d wanted to force her to face the harsh reality of her situation but, even then, he’d taken steps to make sure she would survive. Even before the Prime had assigned her to him, he wouldn’t have just left her to fend for herself. He would have made sure she was settled somewhere, with a way to care for herself. Anyone on Earth would have thrown her out of the boarding house and left her to her own devices.
Learning to trust didn’t come easily to her, but she vowed to place her trust in Zayne. He’d proven that there was a heart beating in his chest after all. She’d wondered, with him being so cold and distant at first. Of course, she probably had herself to blame for that. She hadn’t been an easy person to live with, constantly wanting to go home and pushing him to give in to her demands. Now that she was looking at her situation with new eyes, she had to admit he was a good man. He’d proven that he was caring and considerate. She’d seen the worry in his eyes when she’d fallen ill, had seen the fear there when she’d cried out from her nightmare. It made him more likeable in her eyes.
He returned with a glass of the orange fizzy stuff and she sipped it, not wanting to make herself sicker than she already was. Her stomach wasn’t cramping as badly now, but she still felt a little queasy. When she was finished, she handed it back to him and he set it down on the bedside table. More of a shelf really.
“Is that better?” he asked.
She nodded. “Thank you.”
He grabbed a chair from the corner of the room and pulled it over to the bed, then lowered himself into it. It seemed he was serious about being close by in case she needed him. She hadn’t really expected him to stay. Watching over her would be boring, especially since sleep was slowly pulling her down again.
As her eyes closed, the last thing she saw was the tender look in his eyes. It was enough to chase the nightmares away and give her sweet dreams, something she hadn’t experienced in a while.
* * *
Zayne watched Meghan sleep, keeping an eye on the steady rise and fall of her chest. It was good that she wasn’t having difficulties breathing and he hoped she would continue to improve. Her skin was no longer red, but returning to its normal sun-kissed color. He’d seen enough humans to know that each was different, unlike Tarnans, who all resembled one another. Each Tarnan had black hair and golden eyes. Other than height, they were of similar build, in most cases anyway. But he’d seen humans with red hair, brown hair, and a color that resembled gold. Their eyes were all different, as well. And while Meghan was petite compared to him, she was still taller than most of the human women on his planet. She was slender and pleasing to the eye, now that her sharp tongue had been subdued. He hated the manner in which her transformation had come about.
He still wasn’t entirely sure what to do with her. It bothered him that he didn’t like the idea of Cynz coming to see her, that the warrior wanted to be her mate. And the fact that it bothered him was cause for concern. He’d listened to the mated Tarnans talk about the moment they’d fallen for their mates, and he had to wonder if he was falling for Meghan. He’d been adamant about not taking her for a mate. If he changed his mind now, he wasn’t sure the Prime would allow it, especially after he’d selected someone for her.
As she slept, he contemplated the situation, turned it over in his mind like a puzzle, but in the end he didn’t have an answer. For all he knew, she wasn’t the least bit attracted to him. He might be worrying about something that would never come to pass. Just because she relied on him now didn’t mean they had a future together. No, it was best to wait and see how things played out.
* * *
Zayne was startled awake by a groan. Meghan wasn’t in the bed and he looked around the room, trying to find her in the pitch black. The suns had already set, casting the room into darkness. Commanding the lights to come on, he felt a moment of panic when he didn’t see her in the room. Then he noticed the bathroom door was open. If she was having a private moment, he hated to intrude, but what if she needed his help?
He approached the door and heard the sounds of her being sick. Reacting instantly, he was by her side in but a moment. When she was finished, he helped her cleanse her mouth and got a damp cloth to press to her face, hoping it would make her feel better. Helping her back to the bed, he eased her down. She sat with her legs hanging off the side of the bed, looking a little worse for wear, but still better than she had that morning.
“I think you’re reacting to the medicine Paysir gave you. I was worried there would be side effects, despite what he said.”
She gave him a weary smile. “The side effects are still better than the pain I was feeling.”
He grunted, not taking much comfort from her words. Sick was sick, no matter that she felt improved from before. He worried she wouldn’t be able to keep food down. Not knowing nearly enough about Earth and its people, he wondered how long she could go without food before things became dire.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
She shook her head adamantly, and then gripped it with her hand.
“What’s wrong?”
“Dizzy.”
“Another side effect,” he muttered. “I don’t like this.”
She reached out and placed her hand on his arm. “It’s fine, Zayne. I bet by tomorrow I’ll be good as new.”
“This is all my fault. If I hadn’t dosed you with the liblee…”
“I’d still be having a meltdown over the situation with my brother. You did what you thought was right. I don’t blame you for how I feel right now. I know you were trying to help me.”
“Not very well it would seem.”
“Stop.” She assessed him. “You should get something to eat, get out of this room for a while. I promise I’ll be fine on my own. I’ll probably just sleep some more.”
“And if you need me?”
“I won’t,” she insisted. “You can’t stay locked in this room with me, without food or drink, until I’m better. That could be hours yet. If you don’t take care of yourself, you’ll be the one in bed.”
“I’m tougher than you give me credit for.”
She shook her head. “I’m not saying you aren’t tough. All Tarnans seem to be. It’s just common sense that if you don’t eat or drink for an extended period of time that your body will weaken.”
“Fine. I’ll go downstairs long enough to eat and get something to drink, but then I’m coming back up. I’m not leaving until you’re steady on your feet and can come downstairs again.”
She looked like she wanted to argue, but she merely nodded and lay back down, closing her eyes. He knew when he’d been dismissed and went downstairs to the kitchen. Requesting food that could be consumed quickly, and two drinks, he practically inhaled everything and hurried back upstairs. When he returned to her side, she was sleeping peacefully. He was as quiet as possible when he lowered himself into the chair once more, taking up his vigil.
He must have dozed off because the next thing he knew, sunlight was streaming through the windows. A quick glance at the bed showed that it was empty. He didn’t hear sounds from the bathroom and felt a moment of panic. Trying to stay calm, he went in search of Meghan. It only took a few minutes to locate her in his office. She was sorting the piles of paper on the floor and feeding them into the scanner.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
She looked up and smiled. “Working. What’s it look like?”
“You no longer have to work for me. As long as you’re willing to take a mate, your needs will be met by my people.”
“I want to help. I promise I won’t get in your way. Just let me finish this project, and then if you wish to return me to the boarding house, I won’t argue.”
He didn’t like that idea. Not at all. She belonged in his home, of that he was certain. More certain than he’d ever been of anything. He realized that if she were to leave, he would miss her. In a moment of clarity, he realized he wasn’t falling in love with her; he was already in love with her. He wasn’t sure when it happened, but he couldn’t deny the truth when it was staring him in the face.
“You’ll continue to stay here,” he said.
“Is it really up to you? I thought you had to answer to this Prime guy.”
She had a point, one he didn’t like. “I’ll figure it out.”
Setting the papers down, she moved closer to him. “Why do you want me to stay?”
Was that hope in her eyes? Did he dare dream that perhaps she felt something for him too? After the way she’d treated him the first few days in his home, he had to wonder. He would have sworn she hated him but, then, wasn’t hate just the flip side of love? Should he admit his feelings? This was new territory for him, and he didn’t like the uncertainty he felt. He’d never been uncertain of anything in his life, until she stormed into it with her demands and cold attitude.
As he stood there, mute, he watched the light die in her eyes. He needed to find his tongue and answer her. He took a deep breath and decided to forge ahead, hoping he wasn’t making a mistake. He wasn’t sure he would take rejection well.
“I want you to stay because I don’t like the idea of living in this house without you. I don’t like the idea of my life without you. Somehow, in the time you’ve come to live with me, I’ve fallen in love with you.”
Her eyes grew misty and she moved closer to him, placing her hands on his chest. He’d never seen that look in her eyes before, but he liked it.
“You love me?”
He nodded. “I’d understand if you didn’t feel the same way. I know you didn’t like me when you came here.”
“It wasn’t that I didn’t like you, I just wanted to go home, back to the life I’d had. I was so determined to go back to Earth, that I didn’t give Tarnan, or you, a chance. But when I realized I’d caused you to be cold and distant with me, I regretted the way I’d acted.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve come to care for you. I didn’t want to admit it to myself, but the way you’ve taken care of me since my nightmare…” She shook her head. “I had no choice but to face what I was feeling.”
“Just care?”
“I-I’ve never been in love before. I’m not sure what it feels like.”
He nodded. “Caring will do for now. We have another problem though. I don’t think the Prime will let me take you as a mate.”
“What do we do? I don’t want that warrior he sent here.”
“I don’t know.”
“We have right now though, correct? For the moment we’re together. Maybe we should make the best of it.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I want you to make love to me.”
He frowned. “I don’t understand that term. Making love?”
She smiled. “Sex. I want to have sex with you.”
He felt his features relax. “Now that I understand.”
“I don’t know a single man out there who doesn’t understand that term.” She chuckled. “I think it’s built into your DNA.”
He cupped her cheek. “I would very much like to make love to you.” He just needed to figure out what all it involved. He’d seen videos from other planets, but he hadn’t had a chance to visit a brothel while on the Lynten-12. He wasn’t sure he would have wanted to, even if the opportunity had presented itself. Being more knowledgeable on the matter would be nice, but he liked the idea that Meghan would be his first and, if he had any say in the matter, his last.
“Will you kiss me?” she asked softly.
“Kiss?”
He wasn’t sure his people did that. Truthfully, he didn’t know anything about his people’s mating customs. His mother had died when he was twenty. He’d been old enough to claim a mate, but he hadn’t been ready. As the women, one by one, succumbed to illness and the light flickered out of their eyes, he’d been thankful he hadn’t claimed anyone. Losing his mother had been hard enough. If he’d lost a mate too, he wasn’t sure he would have survived the pain of it.
She smiled. “Like this.”
She pushed up on her toes, her hands braced on his chest, and pressed her mouth to his. Zayne was surprised at the softness of her lips as they brushed against his. His interest was more than piqued. Parts of his body that had never responded to a woman, had never had the opportunity to, were swelling with need. He ached, yearned, and needed her more than he’d ever needed anyone or anything before. If this was what making love was like, he was a more than eager participant.
Her tongue flicked out and slid across his lower lip. It startled him for a moment, and his jaw dropped a little. If he’d found that surprising, she’d downright amazed him when she slipped her tongue between his lips to stroke his. He felt her press her body closer to his, her arms crept around his neck, as she taught him about this kissing business. He had to admit, he rather liked it. Yes, he could see himself kissing Meghan at every possible opportunity. It would be a most pleasant way to spend time.
She pulled away, her face flushed with desire. “Take me to the bedroom, Zayne. I need you.”
He lifted her into his arms and began striding toward the stairs. When he reached the bottom of the staircase, he jogged up it two steps at a time. He gazed down at her fondly as they approached his bedroom. It felt right to take her there, as if she belonged in his bed, by his side. He’d make sure she moved her things into his room immediately.
Meghan wiggled and he set her down on her feet beside the bed. It was larger than the one in her room and he was a little embarrassed that he hadn’t changed the sheets, or at least straightened it out. She deserved better than this. He opened his mouth to tell her so, but her words stopped him.
“I really like your room,” she said, looking around. “It’s comfortable and the colors suit you.”
He snapped his jaw shut.
She turned to face him, her eyes turning smoky. Her fingers toyed with the hem of her shirt, before easing the material up her slender waist. It cupped the underside of her breasts and her hands caressed the mounds, before pulling the shirt higher, exposing her pretty pink nipples to him. Then the shirt was whipped over her head and she’d dropped it on the floor.
Her lips curled in a seductive smile as she toyed with the waistband of her pants and he felt like he was going to explode at any moment. He’d seen her naked that one brief moment before, but this was different. Meghan was showing off for him, doing things that made him desire her even more, and he hadn’t thought that was possible. If she were to touch him right now, he’d probably expire on the spot from sheer pleasure.
Zayne watched with rapt fascination as she shimmied out of her pants and kicked them away. She stood before him nude -- gloriously nude. If the gods had ever made a more beautiful creature, he had yet to see it. Meghan was perfection in his eyes, all womanly curves and soft, supple skin. He wanted to touch her, but he wasn’t sure if it was allowed. What did she expect of him?
Chapter Five
Meghan must have seen the questions in his eyes because she took his hand, placed it at her hip, and moved closer to him. When her nipples brushed against him, he groaned, unable to stop the sound. Would it be okay to do that kissing thing again? He’d really liked that.
“What’s wrong, Zayne?” Her hand slid up his chest, resting over his heart. “You’re trembling.”
Was he? It didn’t
surprise him. She’d shaken him up. He felt like he’d been spinning in place, so much so that the planet had tilted beneath his feet. Zayne wasn’t sure if all of this was normal or not, and he was worried about confiding in her of his inexperience. Was she expecting a male who knew his way around the bedroom? Would she be disappointed in him? Want another male as her mate? He’d never felt such pressure before, not even when he’d been on a deadline for a weapon they’d needed during a time of war.
“Zayne?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” he muttered. He huffed out a breath. “I’ve never done this before, Meghan. I didn’t have a mate before our women died off and I’ve never been to a brothel.”
Shock. That was definitely shock he saw clearly stamped on her lovely features. He just knew she was going to turn him away. She was so beautiful she could have anyone she wanted. Why would she want a defective mate? There were plenty of males on the planet who had visited the floating brothels and had the experience to please her.
“Never?” she asked.
His jaw tensed and he shook his head.
She cupped his cheek. “I’m honored that you chose me as your first.”
“My only,” he rasped. “As long as I live, I’ll never want another, Meghan. You’re it for me.”
Her eyes misted and then she blinked the tears away. She made quick work of his clothes, stripping him from top to bottom. When he stood just as bare as she was, she pulled him over to the bed and forced him down. He sat, wondering what she was going to do next.
Meghan pushed his legs apart and knelt between them, her hands braced on his thighs. He didn’t know what she was going to do, but his cock twitched in anticipation. Maybe it knew something he didn’t. She gave him a soft smile before leaning forward to trail kisses from his chest down to his cock. A soft brush of her lips against the head had him gripping the bedding. Her tongue swirled around him, sending shockwaves of pleasure through him. He’d heard sex was good, but this felt incredible. His friends hadn’t described it well at all.