Mismatch
Page 88
“Are you kidding me?� I couldn’t believe my ears. “I haven’t done anything wrong.�
“I’m not saying you did, but it’s secure, and nothing’s going to happen to you there.�
“We don’t have to go that far — Vanessa can stay with me.� Avren looked like he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “I have three bedrooms, plus the living room and a den.�
I blushed, but the head of security wasn’t looking at me.
“That’s good enough for me.� Apparently, he was only concerned about my safety, not whether Avren and I were fucking. “The royal apartments are the only rooms safer than the prison.�
“I’m glad we agree. Come on, Vanessa. I’ll show you to your new room.�
“Whatever you say.� I felt dazed and overwhelmed. Everything was happening too quickly, and I wasn’t used to this much excitement in my life.
“I’ll have a guard escort you. Don’t go anywhere without your personal security detail, Avren.�
Avren nodded reluctantly. “We’ll do whatever we have to do.� He took my hand and led me out of the courtyard.
AVREN
Vanessa had almost died in front of my eyes.
The thought shook me. I didn’t know what I would do if anything happened to her. I couldn’t have her, but I knew I still cared about her.
When we reached my suite, I got Vanessa settled on the couch and went into the kitchen to make us a drink. I needed something to soothe my nerves. Vanessa seemed distracted, too. Anyone would have trouble processing an attempt on their life.
I brought two drinks on a tray and set it on the coffee table in front of her. She leaned forward and took a glass, sipping until her hands began to shake so badly that she couldn’t hold it anymore.
I took the cup from her and gently put it on the table before sitting down on the couch and wrapping my arms around her, pulling her close to me.
“They were trying to kill me, Madellan. You and your lunch date saved me.� She stopped, unwilling to contemplate what might have happened.
I was so thankful for my decision that I didn’t know what to say. Vanessa held on to me as if she were afraid to let go. “I didn’t intend for this to happen, Vanessa. I would never have asked you to come to Auxem if I thought you might be in danger.�
“I know.� She pulled away and looked up at me. She had tears on her face, and I wiped them away with my thumb. “You couldn’t have predicted what happened.�
“I understand if you don’t want to stay here.�
She frowned. “Are you trying to kick me out, Madellan?�
“No.� I pulled her to me again. “I don’t want you to go.� I had accidentally spoken a profound truth, but I pressed on.
“I want you to be able to sleep tonight.�
“Someone’s trying to kill me, and I don’t know why, Avren. Don’t you think the best place for me to be is in a fortified castle?�
The stress of the day hit me. Having Vanessa here in my arms seemed a very good thing. “I think the best place for you is in my bed. I don’t want to let you out of my sight. I couldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to you, Vanessa.�
Her eyes softened. “Your bed sounds pretty good to me right now, although I’m not sure if I feel like fooling around.�
My mouth dropped open. “Do you think I would try to seduce a traumatized girl?�
She smiled and batted her eyes at me playfully. “Yes? I’m not going to let a single day affect me too much.�
The servants brought her clothes and put them in one of the guest bedrooms in my large suite. We met in my room when we were both ready to sleep.
She gave me a nervous look, but I led her to the bed, tucking her in. Then I went around to my side and climbed in, spooning myself against Vanessa’s back and wrapping my arm around her.
She gave a contented sigh. “Nothing’s going to happen to me here.�
I kissed her cheek. “Of course not, Vanessa.�
After the crazy events of the day, we both fell fast asleep, more exhausted than we had imagined.
VANESSA
Snuggling with Avren all night had been terrible and beautiful at the same time. I had slept deeply and awakened feeling refreshed.
I even received a call from Genetic Futures, but I didn’t bother returning it. They probably just wanted to return the research samples I sent in with my application. What I was doing now seemed more important than racing to call them back. They rejected me. They could wait.
We were meeting with Avren’s eldest brother, Arnon, who was in charge until his father returned. The king was conducting a trade mission or diplomatic event — I didn’t remember which. But for the time being, Arnon was making a lot of important decisions.
One consequence was that Avren hadn’t explained what we were doing to his father. I didn’t think it was a good idea, but I wasn’t able to change his mind.
Avren and I made the short hovercraft trip to see Arnon, who was conducting official business in the government building adjacent to the castle. I entered the large, ancient building with trepidation. It was dark and constructed from heavy stone. I felt like I had been called to the principal’s office, even though I hadn’t done anything wrong.
“I’ve got bad news for you, Avren.� Arnon didn’t even bother with a greeting. His dark brown eyes looked grave.
“What else is new?� Avren and I sat down in chairs opposite Arnon’s desk. “What could be worse than yesterday?�
“Well, an explicit death threat, for one.� Arnon raised an eyebrow. “And Vanessa, I’m afraid it’s directed at you. It says you need to stop what you’re doing or they’re going to kill you. As long as the research ends, they promise to spare your life.�
Avren stood up and started walking back and forth like a caged animal. “We can’t stop. What we’re doing is critical. But don’t we have to?� He looked at me. “There’s no way I’m putting your life on the line. I’m not going to trade Allex for you.� He glanced at his older brother.
I looked up. “Wait a second. I’m right here, but you’re talking about me like I don’t have a say in anything. Aren’t you going to ask me what I want to do, Madellan? You don’t get to decide things for me.�
“I do.� Arnon drew our attention back to him. His voice was grim. “I can shut down your project if I don’t think it’s worth the risk. Convince me.�
“It’s too important to let someone else direct us.� I turned to Arnon. “Allex isn’t the only one suffering from terrible pain. I’ve been reading the research papers on your condition. Why hasn’t anyone been working on this before now? It’s ridiculous and wrong.�
“But we don’t have to fix everything right now. We’ve waited for a long time. Allex has always managed to muddle through.� Avren continued to pace while speaking, arms flailing for emphasis.
I started trying different arguments to change Avren’s mind. “I think we’re close to a breakthrough. We’ve almost finished altering the gene and are on the verge of starting clinical trials.�
Avren stopped pacing for a second to look at me. “What happens if we stopped? Would we have to start over from the beginning?�
“Of course not. You know that.� I faltered. “We could pick up from where we left off at any time.�
Arnon
’s voice became gentle. “Vanessa, as a guest on our planet, I cannot put your life in danger. You may continue the research after we determine who’s behind these threats. Until then, you have to stop working.�
Avren spoke up. “Arnon, maybe there’s another option. Have you considered the summer palace?�
“What about it?�
“There’s room to set up a clandestine lab up there. We could quietly step up the security. There’s hardly any people there, and we can work without looking over our shoulder all the time. No one would know where we were.�
Arnon considered the proposal. “If there is any more trouble, do you agree to take a break?�
Avren glanced at me.
I nodded. “We’ll do what you want. How long is it going to take to build the laboratory?�
Arnon laughed. “You are determined, aren’t you?�
“I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.� I put my hands on his desk and leaned toward him. Why couldn’t they see the same things I did? “The pain you go through isn’t necessary. We’re going to fix it.�
He sat back, steepled his fingers, and stared at me. “I believe you, Vanessa. I’ll order my staff to prepare the new laboratory within the week. Your determination and courage are admirable.�
“Thank you.�
Arnon gave his brother an inscrutable look. “You two will have to take care of each other out there. We will have a heavy security presence, but if anything happens you’re going to be on your own.�
He meant Avren wouldn’t have his brothers to support him.
Once we were in the hovercraft going back to the castle, Avren took my hand. I didn’t try to stop him.
“Vanessa, maybe this is a bad idea. Have you thought about stopping the research and going somewhere else?�
“We’ve been over this before, Madellan. The safest place is right here.� I refrained from adding ‘with you’ at the end. It seemed too sappy.
“I know, but it’s the most dangerous place, too. If you keep working, they’re going to try to harm you again.�
“I’m not a coward, and I’m not going to be intimidated by a few assholes. Let me clear up something for you — I’m not quitting. Arnon is going to send the best security he has, and you’ll be right beside me the whole time. It’s the best we can do, I’m not afraid, and I’m not going to go running because someone thinks he can intimidate me.�
Avren gave me a grin that made me melt. “You’re not going to let anything stand in the way of science, are you?�
“Of course not, Avren. You should know me by now.� I linked my fingers with his. “Let’s go spend some credits for the laboratory.�
“You are a woman after my own heart.� Avren patted my arm with his hand. “What better way to spend an afternoon than buying things with a beautiful woman?�
“Exactly.� I felt happiness flash through me. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the day.
Chapter Ten
VANESSA
I stood in the doorway of the new laboratory at the summer palace and yawned. I was tired, but I thought I could do one more thing before going to bed.
Setting up the new location had taken about a week. We arrived in the dead of night. Anders took us there in the fancy fighter we used to reach Auxem. With the cloaking device engaged, no one would know a starship had come and gone.
I felt like a secret agent. The lab had retinal scans and other sophisticated security I had never seen before. The palace was in lock-down mode. Avren and I weren’t allowed to leave without a security detail.
I would have stayed even if I didn’t have to. We were so close to the finish line that I couldn’t stop working. Avren forced me to take breaks to eat and sleep, but if it weren’t for him, I would have lived in the lab.
As soon as the animal testing showed our genetic modifications were stable, we could begin testing on the Auxem. I didn’t think the changes were dangerous, but there wasn’t a guarantee. All we had were meticulous science, rigorous testing on animals, and a few brave Auxem who were willing to risk their lives for others.
The only way for us to learn how our genetic alterations behaved in the Auxem was to test them on Auxem bodies, and the galaxy’s governing scientific body recognized this. According to the law, as long as we performed due diligence and had willing test subjects, we could proceed with the research.
I walked into our laboratory, going into the area where we put on our clothes. A moment later, I heard someone at the door. I froze, my heart in my throat. Though I felt safe at the castle, I was still a target, and someone could try to kill me at any moment. It made me jumpy.
I turned around slowly. It was only Avren.
I put my hand over my heart. “Madellan, you startled me.�
“Sorry, Vanessa.� Avren rubbed at his eyes.
“Why are you here?�
“I couldn’t sleep without you.� He blinked and looked at me with a wary expression on his face as if the words had slipped out and he hadn’t meant to say them.
“I’m almost finished. I want to do one more thing.�
“Vanessa, it’s eleven at night. Whatever you’re doing can wait until morning. You’re working too hard. It’s not healthy.�
I shrugged. Avren was right, but I always became a little obsessed in the middle of a project. “I’ll be done soon. Go back to bed.�
We had been enjoying our friends with benefits arrangement. I had been staying most nights in his bed, but I hoped he wasn’t getting used to having me around all the time. As soon as we finished our work, I was going back to my real life.
Oddly enough, what had been my life before seemed like just a dream compared to the reality of living on Auxem with Avren. Three months had passed already, and everything felt almost too perfect. We did everything together and weren’t getting sick of each other. We rarely fought except for when we were deciding what to eat. We had wildly different tastes in food, and most days we ate separately.
There was none of the nit-picky irritation I had experienced before with other scientists — sometimes working closely together could drive people crazy.
But not with Avren. I was waiting for something bad to happen — a big fight, another attack, or an insurmountable problem with the research.
Nothing.
It was unsettling.
“I see I’ll need to convince you.� I had already turned my back to him and resumed putting on my work clothes.
“There’s nothing you can do, Avren. Don’t bother, it won’t work.�
“Let me rephrase. I’ll need to entice you.�
I felt his warm breath on the nape of my neck and shivered. He pressed a kiss to my cheek. I closed my eyes, leaning back against his strong form and letting myself live in the moment. I worried about protecting my heart in our odd arrangement, but I thought I was staying detached. I wouldn’t let him break me again.
I would miss being close to him, though, and I wanted to go even further. I wanted to fuck him, but we couldn’t unless we were in love. That was the last thing that was going to happen. We were too suspicious of relationships.
“Vanessa, I want to take you back to bed.�
“I’m not tired, Madellan.� I tried not to sound as needy as I felt.
“Who said anything about sleep?� Avren reached around and felt my breasts through my shirt. “Am I enticing you yet?�
“I only need a minut
e here.� He turned me around and captured my mouth before I could finish my thought. I melted. It worked every time. I couldn’t get enough of kissing Avren.
I didn’t care about work at all, and I gave in.
“Then take me back to your bed so we can do everything except sleep.� I gave him my best impression of bedroom eyes.
“If you look at me that way, woman, we won’t make it to the bed.�
My eyes drifted to the counter. I loved sex on countertops.
Avren caught my look and lifted his eyebrows before locking the door. The room didn’t have any windows to cover. A moment later, he had me on the counter and stood between my legs, kissing me with his hands under my shirt. He made his way down my neck, pressing small kisses all the way to my collarbone.
“I can’t believe we’re doing this here.� I was getting so turned on that I couldn’t think straight.
He gave me the sexiest smile I had ever seen on his face. “I need to taste you, Vanessa.� He unfastened my pants and pulled them off me, tossing them onto the floor and spreading my legs.
“Excuse me?� I had never let any man do that before.
“I have to. I can’t wait anymore.�
I didn’t answer, not sure if I wanted him to keep going or not. He had my shirt unbuttoned and my bra undone in a few seconds. His mouth was everywhere — on my breasts, bare stomach, and inner thighs.
I was aching for him. Any hesitation I had disappeared as soon as I felt his tongue on my clit. My eyes rolled back in my head at the pleasure, and I gasped, opening my legs wider.
He murmured against my delicate flesh. “That’s right,�
Avren licked up and down my folds and my hips bucked. He reached up and held me firmly against the counter as he continued flicking and licking my clit with perfect intensity.
I whimpered, needing more, and he took his hands off my hips. I felt a finger pushing into me. He pumped it in and out while sucking my clit. After a minute, he eased two fingers in, and I groaned. He increased the rhythm, fingers sliding in and out of me as my climax spiraled up.