by Nia K. Foxx
“Perhaps she can persuade other females to come. Have you spoken with her about this?” Voren inquired.
“No, and if my mate is a true representation of E’rth women the females of her world will not be receptive to our ways.”
“Ah, so there is discord in your bonding. Perhaps your bond mate only has issue with you. It may not be so for others,” Keltar accused.
Instant anger boiled inside Remar but he held his temper in check, refusing to give the other man the satisfaction of seeing the effect his words caused.
“Surely, you can have your mate send a new message to her home world,” Voren presented.
“Unfortunately her vessels communication system is inoperable,” Remar supplied.
“Very convenient or is it you wish to keep your communication with E’rth secret and have fabricated this tale?” Keltar spat.
“Your scientist will have the opportunity to verify all I have shared and if they need assistance I am certain Nelo and Voren will make their findings available to you.”
Keltar’s face visibly lightened in rage until it nearly glowed making his instant anger apparent. It only gave Remar small pleasure to see the irritating leader go silent from his obvious anger.
“All sounds within accordance of the mutual assurance agreement,” Nelo added diplomatically.
“Good. Now I must excuse myself, there are other pressing matters which need to be addressed.” Remar allowed for only the briefest ending before disconnecting from the holo-conference.
***
Dallas’ head buzzed with the activity of the day. There was still so much to see and learn. She’d barely scratched the surface in her tour. The tiny hand held unit given to her provided instant sync ups to an assortment of databases for projects she’d expressed interest in and others she hadn’t gotten around to seeing yet. The auditory translation was a godsend but she realized that in order to get a deeper grasp of the information she would have to commit to tackling the Chezarian written word. Although she prided herself on her intelligence their language looked like a complicated mixture of Hebrew, Arabic and ancient Sumerian. It was a daunting task but she thrived on challenges. Mentally, she catalogued the things to be seen the next day.
A quick thought crossed her mind. Would Remar continue to hold true to his word or would he withdraw his offer? Before she could give the thought further consideration the aromatic scent of something deliciously distracting caught her attention. Her stomach grumbled it’s disapproval at being denied sustenance for so long. She raised her head from the device in time to notice she’d been escorted back to Remar’s room. Like before a veritable buffet was laid out on the small floor table. She couldn’t identify most of the items but didn’t care. It all looked like scrumptious mounds of heaven.
No sooner than the door folded closed she dropped onto an overstuffed pillow and reached for glistening bread. Dallas peeled off a piece and popped it into her mouth. Warm decadence trampled her taste buds with a sweet tangy after taste.
“Bliss,” she mumbled before tearing off a larger piece. It melted in her mouth far too soon and she moaned with a mixture of pure ecstasy and eagerness for another sampling. It only seemed to get better with each bite. Her lids shuttered closed in pleasure when she polished off the last piece.
“I believe it is wrong for me to be jealous of that gorin you just devoured?”
Remar’s sudden question had her eyes snapping open. Until then she hadn’t realized he was in the room, talk about being distracted.
“I didn’t know you were here.” She stared up at his towering frame as he approached from the depths of the room.
“I arrived moments before you…but you were preoccupied and I did not wish to disturb you.”
She averted her gaze back to the spread in front of her. “If this was meant for you I’m sure I can find something else in-”
“No, this was intended for the two of us. Do you mind if I join you?” He nodded in indication to the empty seat.
“Um-no. This is your-”
His stern look effectively cut her off. “Our rooms. Based on the spheres from your world I hardly believe the concept is unknown to you.”
She held back the response which immediately sprang to mind choosing instead to go a different route. “Please sit.”
Again, she was surprised at the ease with which he arranged himself on the pillows.
“I hope the tour was to your liking?” He started.
“Yes, thank you. There seem to be a lot of areas I could fit into, so long as the offer stands.”
His brows furrowed. “Why would it not?”
She shrugged. “Just checking. So where did you take off to earlier. I almost thought you’d want to show me around yourself to make sure I didn’t go sneaking off into any classified areas.”
“And did you?”
“What?”
“Sneak into any classified areas?”
“No.”
“Then it seems my services were not required. However, should you wish for me to come along on the morrow I will be more than happy to oblige.”
“Not necessary. I’m sure you have far more important things to do.”
“For me there is nothing more important than you and your happiness.”
Dallas responded by forking what looked to be a vegetable off a platter and taking it in her mouth. She couldn’t help but notice the way Remar’s gaze followed her movements, and lingered on her lips.
“There is a matter I wish to have your opinion on,” he said after long moments.
“There is?”
The other sector leaders are eager to make your acquaintance. You are… infamous here.”
She smiled at his word choice. “I think you mean famous, but I guess in certain circles infamous would also apply. I can understand why the other leaders would like to meet the alien first hand, no doubt they’re feeling a little slighted for not being a part of all this hoopla.”
“Very astute of you but the choice is yours. It will be no loss for me to decline the meeting.”
She nearly laughed at the sudden outpouring of freedom and choices. It seemed like just yesterday all her desires and wants were being usurped. Wait… it was yesterday.
“Honestly, I’m curious to meet your peers and their families.”
He frowned. “Peers? I do not know this word.”
“It’s like your… equal… someone with the same status.”
“Ah, my Dal’las that is where you are wrong. Our sector is envied by all. None of the others rival us. And none of their leaders can compare to me,” the pride oozed through his words.
She stared at him unblinkingly. “I bet you don’t even know the definition of humble, do you?”
He cocked his head at her and gave a look that reminded her of a confused puppy.
It was quite endearing.
“Forget I mentioned it.”
“I would like to discover more about your tour. Was it pleasant?”
“Yes. Thanks for that. There are so many things your engineers and scientist are working on and I just want to be a part of it all,” she answered eagerly.
“I am glad you are excited about the prospects. Although I do hope it is not your intent to work over much?”
Dallas chose her next words carefully remembering he had the power to prevent her from participating at all. “Of course not. I know this is your way of making me… comfortable here so I won’t press my luck, too much.”
He nodded in response and it only irritated her to know how much control he actually wielded over her life. One mood swing and she could be banished to a dungeon or whatever served as a prison on the planet. For several moments they ate in silence. Dallas feigned interest in the platter of morsels but was very aware of his watchful gaze. Didn’t he know how uncomfortable it made someone to be stared at or maybe he just didn’t care.
“We never got to complete our conversation last night. It seemed to me that you have some awareness of t
he person responsible for drugging you?”
She’d hoped he wouldn’t circle back on the topic. As upset as she was with Rabika she didn’t want to turn her in.
“No, can’t help you there. Yesterday is really just one big blur. For all I know you could have been the one to slip me the mickey,” she ended with a half laugh.
Silence ensued again but with it seemed to emerge an almost palpable tension. The source was clear. Dallas shot a curious glance across the table at Remar.
His stare was chilling.
“Do you believe I would do something like that to you?” The sincerity in his voice was moving. But it was his expression which made her regret her jest.
She opened her mouth to answer but found no words came out as Remar rose to his feet. His lengthy frame stretched far above her. Dallas followed suit, moving around the low setting table.
“I didn’t mean to insinuate that you were really responsible. It was a joke.”
“Comedy which lacks humor is not comical at all.”
“Look, I’m sorry if I offended you.”
His expression didn’t change. “As well you should be. I am not a male who needs to force a woman to bend to me for bedja sport.”
She agreed with him there. As much as she would have liked to call foul she’d been a more than willing participant their first time together. Even without Rabika’s “assistance” she doubted he would have needed to force himself on her the second time either.
“Again, I’m sorry if I caused you any… offense.” Dallas gave a mental snort over yet another ironic moment.
His face softened slightly. “Perhaps, I need to study your spheres more to better understand E’rth humor.”
“If that’s your way of saying you want to know me better, I think it’s a great idea and should be a mutually shared sentiment,” she said jumping at the opportunity to lose the tension.
He smiled, well almost… kinda sorta. At any rate she liked the transformation.
“Are you saying you would like to know me as well, you no longer have objections to being my bond mate?”
“Whoa… let’s not jump to crazy conclusions. I’m just saying maybe I should be more open to learning about you.”
This time there was no mistaking the pearly show of teeth.
An idea came to mind. “Why don’t we try sharing with each other things we like doing for enjoyment, and just to show how fair I am. I’ll even let you go first.”
Her arm was quickly snaked in his firm hold and she stumbled forward at the swift tug towards the bed.
No surprise there. Apparently men were the same no matter the universe. The funny thing was she didn’t care one bit.
Chapter Eleven
It wasn’t exactly the good time she expected for two virile, nubile “newlyweds”, but she was determined to make it a judgment free experience.
A deep rumble of merriment escaped from Remar and it took all of her self-control not to laugh at the scene around her.
“Now this is humor,” he commented seeming unable to take his eyes off the life sized holographic images moving around them.
She admitted it was far more advanced than the Extreme Definition hybrid enhancements used for personal viewing back on earth. Still she never imagined herself plopped on an alien world and snuggled up with what amounted to her husband watching vintage Scooby-Doo.
“Your Shoggy and Scoppy Doppy Doo are quite comical,” he said with joviality she hadn’t believed he was actually capable of showing.
“Yeah, hilarious.” Would he care that the cartoon antics pre-dated the term retro? From the antiquated look of the animation and cheesy one liners she guessed the episode to be from the original series, circa 1970. An era in earth’s history still riding the wave of the 60’s style of free love, rampant illegal drug use and the absence of much needed mirrors apparently.
She chose to keep her mouth close.
Maybe it was Remar’s participatory style of watching that made the program pleasing but by the end of the episode she could honestly say she enjoyed herself.
“There are other viewings should you wish to see more,” he said with unexpected enthusiasm.
“No, why don’t we save that good time for later. Ever heard of the concept of too much of a good thing?”
His responding furrowed brows suggested he hadn’t.
“Out of curiosity, exactly how many viewings are there?” she asked.
“Twenty, I have long given up hope that others would come through the aberration.”
His genuine disappointment was magnetic.
She shifted to look up at him as the holograms faded into oblivion.
“They stopped making the program over a century ago.”
“Surely, there are other E’rthrs and their animal companions from whom they can make more anecdotal shows?”
She certainly hoped not.
“I have to say I’m a little surprised by your choice in activity.”
A look of disappointment crossed his features. “You did not enjoy the way we have spent our time?”
“It was nice,” she rushed. “Just unexpected.”
“And what were you expecting?” He pinned her with a curious gaze.
She shrugged, not sure how to honestly answer.
“Perhaps you were thinking of something more suited for our location?” he provided.
Her muffled ‘maybe’ barely made it from her lips before Dallas found herself being pulled across his lap.
“You know that wasn’t an invitation, right?” she asked weakly.
“No?”
“No.”
His hold on her loosened. “Then you are free to go.”
“Just like that?” The question tumbled out too quick for her to catch it.
“Aye, if that is what you want.”
Was it what she wanted?
Hadn’t she committed to making the best of her situation on Chezar? And wasn’t Remar now a large part of her current situation? It didn’t hurt that in spite of how things began for them she did find him very attractive…and the sex wasn’t too bad either. Okay, who was she kidding it was scorching whether between the sheets…against the wall…or… The point was she was pretty sure his talents extended to any venue which presented itself and she wasn’t opposed to finding out just how many there were. Besides could a man with such a childlike fondness for Scooby-Doo really be all that bad?
Still, she mumbled a half-hearted, “I guess.”
“Perhaps, I should wait until you are less uncertain?”
Her attempt to suppress the smirk that came after his comment failed miserably.
“Exactly how long are you prepared to wait?”
“Until the end of worlds if necessary.”
Sincerity.
Apparently her heart wasn’t immune to his sweet talking because it fluttered rapidly at his response.
“Yet I know that it will not take long,” he added with confident arrogance.
All the reasons she should slide off his lap and pretend not to want what he was so obviously offering faded. The problem was she did want him, at least sexually, even without the added push of the drug.
Dallas found herself staring at Remar for long moments as if seeing him for the first time. He was so different from any man she’d ever been with in the past, in every way. Yes, she would probably always be aware of their physical differences but beyond them he was a man, pure and simple, with a desire… a very prominent desire for her. And for some reason, she couldn’t quite place her finger on, she felt an uncanny pull towards him too.
“Until the end of the universe seems like a mighty long time to wait,” she said playfully.
He nodded his agreement. “It does.”
“It would be cruel to deny ourselves for so long,” she continued.
“It would.”
“Unless of course there are other alternatives. I’ve heard some women on Chezar have multiple partners at their disposal.”
; She felt his instant tension.
“That will never be an option, for either of us.”
Satisfaction warmed her to know any abstinence would be mutually endured.
Dallas shifted in his lap and allowed her hands to snake up around his neck.
“Well if you’re my only option…”
“I am,” his voice thickened as she straddled his waist and settled herself strategically over the huge bulge nestled in the apex of his thighs.
“I guess we should just make the best of our bonding then,” her own voice hitched at the contact belying the bored tone she initially attempted.
“Perhaps we should aim for better.”
“I… think I like your suggestion,” she said undulating against his prominent erection. “In fact I think I should show you exactly how much I like it.”
His large hands settled on her hips, moving with the slow fluidity of her gyrations.
Their breaths mingled from the closeness. So intimate and definitely the hottest thing she’d ever experienced.
“As much as I like what we’re doing, I think we’d enjoy this so much more if we get rid of these barriers.”
“A very wise choice indeed,” he said setting her aside easily to push out of his clothes.”
Dallas didn’t waste time simply enjoying the view, a few tugs and a couple of pushes had her removing her own garments with equal zeal.
She positioned herself on the bed. Seeing him nude only excited her more. How was that possible, sure she had always been appreciative of a well-kept male physic, but her reaction to him was so carnal. Just the sight of him and she was creaming herself.
“What?” she asked a little too throatily when he sat back on his haunches watching her.
“Don’t move,”
His words held her in place when she attempted to sit up.
Not feeling the least bit uncomfortable she reclined, arching her back slightly, and enjoying the way his gaze leisurely roamed up and down her body.
Silently he crawled up the bed, and between her legs, his lusty eyed stare locking with hers. She opened wider to accommodate his larger form.
