Arak's Love: A World Beyond Book 2

by Michelle Howard

  The vendor noted the change in his manner as well and grabbed a yellow container from beneath the table and handed it to Arak, eagerness in the gesture. “Be my guest.”

  Arak accepted and shook what looked like a pile of baby lizards and bugs into the cage. The monkey roared. Razor sharp teeth flashed as it grabbed the scurrying creatures and shoved them into his mouth. Sylvie jumped back screaming and knocked Joni aside in her haste.

  “Cute right. Like an Earth pet?” Arak asked, dark brow arched. Was that humor glinting in his gaze?

  Joni made gagging sounds behind her.

  “Not quite,” Sylvie mumbled, swallowing the saliva in her mouth as she pressed a hand to her suddenly queasy belly. “Let’s look at something else.”

  They looked at cloth, soft and sheer enough Sylvie could see her hands beneath the fabric but in every color imaginable. Shoes tended to be flats or sandals but she picked a pair in bronze with straps across the top and over her calf. The vendor scanned her watch and as simple as that Sylvie ended up with a bag containing her purchase. At another stall, clear balls similar to snow globes lined the table. Joni shook a few, smiling at whatever holo images came up on the inside and purchased two.

  When they walked away, Arak handed Sylvie a small carved box similar to Joni’s. With a bemused smile, she opened it and snickered at the glass ball containing a mosimio swinging from a tree while birds fled in fright. Arak smirked and dodged the fist she aimed for his mid-section.

  “Thank you. I’ll treasure it.” Her smile may have contained more teeth than usual.

  With a roll of his eyes, Arak nudged her forward. Sylvie skipped to catch up with Joni. They were laughing at a street performer when a humanoid creature who’d clearly consumed too much to drink stumbled into them. He had to be at least seven feet tall with bluish-green skin and seven or eight of those inches came from his neck.

  “Watch where you’re going.” His stumbling steps caused Sylvie to fall back. The large flap covering his nostrils flared and his green eyes narrowed. “Earth female. Well, well.”

  Arak’s growl warned her before he stepped between Sylvie and the drunk. “Move behind me, Joni.”

  Her friend was no fool and scurried behind Arak to stand beside Sylvie.

  “What’s your problem?” The tall drunk slurred, swinging his arms in a wide arc. The move drew attention to ill-fitting clothes and bare feet.

  Several passerby ducked and another backed up before heading in the opposite direction. The snick of Arak’s sharp claws reached her ears. A quick glance down revealed the razor sharp tips on the ends of his fingers.

  “You should leave now.” Arak’s weight shifted in preparation.

  “Don’t want to share your bounty, heh.” The alien’s nose did the ugly flap thing again. “Mmm. Argoran.”

  Tall and green stared at Arak and leaned forward. When the creature grinned, jagged teeth flashed from his wide jaw. “I’m having fun.” He belched and smacked his fist into the flat of his chest. “Make me.”

  Sylvie tapped the back of Arak’s shirt and whispered, “Let’s just go, Arak.”

  The muscles beneath his shirt coiled. “Public behavior is monitored. You should leave, Tarton.”

  The Tarton, or whatever he was, threw back his bald head. Ropey veins popped from the side of his scary neck as he laughed. “What gives you the right to demand I leave?”

  Sylvie held her breath. Arak didn’t have any weapons with him to her knowledge. She also knew he and the others weren’t big on revealing their identities in public.

  “Stand back, Sylvie,” Arak murmured without taking his gaze from the green giant.

  She released his shirt, fingers opening slowly. Arak moved like lightning toward the large man. One fist plowed into the belly of the Tarton man. As soon as he bent over from the blow, Arak followed with a powerful punch to the face. The creature dropped to his knees, blood spewing from his mouth and a few teeth if she wasn’t mistaken. Arak ducked behind him, one arm curving around the long neck as he leaned low to whisper in the Tarton’s flickering ears.

  Sylvie couldn’t hear what was said as a crowd formed around them. The Tarton darted a look in her direction and his skin paled if that was possible, leaving him more blue than green as he nodded in a jerky motion. Arak released him and moving faster than she would have expected, the giant fled the marketplace. The gathering onlookers dispersed after a few well-meaning whistles.

  As soon as Arak approached, Joni demanded, “What the hell was that?”

  Arak frowned. “Hell?”

  Joni waved her hands in the air, gold eyes intent. “Never mind. What was it or he?”

  Arak sighed and eased close to Sylvie. Her arms went around his back as he buried his head in her hair and inhaled before speaking. “Tarton. Very aggressive. They hunt and eat Argorans in our cat form on Argora.”

  When he straightened, she and Joni stared at him. Joni sputtered but Sylvie smacked Arak’s chest. “Are you kidding? And you attacked him.”

  Arak shook his head. “We should have Dr. Maku spend time with each of you and program the translators with updated Earth English.”

  Joni snorted but Sylvie found it hard to be amused. “That…Tarton eats people like you?”

  His dark head nodded. “But they’re scared of birds. I told him you had one in the box with the mosimio cube.”

  It took a long time for Sylvie to speak to him again. Every few minutes Joni would look at her mutinous expression and burst into laughter again, muttering, “Birds. Can you imagine?”

  The rest of the day passed in a blur but Sylvie counted it as one of the best days in a long time for her. Arak proved to be an excellent guide, never once complaining when she and Joni stopped every few feet. They stuffed themselves on alien sausage smothered in red sauce, which Sylvie refused to observe too closely and ended the afternoon with chilled fruit buried in cups of colored ice. The melted syrup left at the bottom had her sucking her spoon in ecstasy.

  Beside her, Arak groaned roughly. “I’ve never seen anyone enjoy topa more.”

  ***

  Joni stopped further ahead and Arak took advantage of the Earthling’s distraction at the jewelry stall to close the distance between him and Sylvie. He’d resisted more than light touches throughout the afternoon but the bright glow of happiness on her face pulled at him.

  “It reminds me of snowballs at home but with real fruit.” Her eyes lit with pleasure at the memory.

  Sylvie’s lips puckered as she scooped another sliver of ice into her mouth. Stained red from the flavor she’d selected, her mouth taunted him. Arak succumbed to the enticement and kissed her. Not as deep as he wanted but a quick, soft press of his mouth to hers. When he pulled back, his tongue licked at the fruit on his lips and he could almost swear he tasted Sylvie’s unique essence beneath the sweet treat.

  “Very good,” he growled, his cat rising to the surface.

  Finished with the topa, she looked up and stiffened. Her scent darkened with the rich notes of arousal. The heady aroma enveloped Arak as he leaned down for the deeper kiss he’d forgone. The minute their mouths touched, she moaned and pressed into him, arms going around his neck as the cup clattered to the ground. Arak slid his hands down the curve of her spine bunching the fabric of her top but didn’t stop until he reached the full slant of her butt.

  Fingers molded, squeezing the round flesh. Spicy hints of surprise mingled with her aroma almost driving him beyond reason. His tongue delved between her parted lips, stroking. Tasting.

  One thing Arak had learned during their kisses was that he loved Sylvie’s taste. Even blindfolded he’d recognize her flavor and not because of the fruity topa she’d taken such pleasure in. Sylvie’s unique taste reminded him of honey.

  Her fingers played with the ends of his hair sending sparks shooting down his spine until his erection bordered on pain. Pressing lightly with his hands at her lower back to bring her closer, Arak rubbed against her. His hard length notched between h
er trembling thighs and another moan reached him.

  As well as a throat clearing. Arak jerked and tried to regain control of himself. Laughter and conversation flowed around them. Other sounds filtered in, eliminating the razor sharp focus he’d turned on Sylvie.

  He eased away from her moist lips. She cried out in protest, hands tightening on his back. Arak groaned, wanting to appease her need but they were in full view of others. “Sylvie.”

  Her eyes flew up and she jerked from his arms, cheeks flushing. Her embarrassment angered Arak and he resisted the urge to curl his body back around her as she’d wanted.

  “Well kiddies, I think I’m done after that display.” Joni eyed them with an arched brow and slid a purchase filled bag on her shoulder. “Time to go.”

  Arak brushed back the loose, blonde curls about Sylvie’s face. “We will finish this another time.”

  Chapter 12

  In the evening, Faye invited everyone to her place for a good old fashion get together, Earth style. Sylvie admitted to being anxious about an opportunity to travel without any of the Jutaks escorting her and Joni. The trip to the Jutak facility proved uneventful, pushing her spirits from nervous to downright giddy. They devoured the food Faye ordered from the kitchens and drinks poured freely, all among the company of new found friends.

  If someone had told Sylvie she’d have the potential of lifelong friendships with other women by joining the Singles Program she would have hocked all of her possessions and signed up sooner. They were well into the night and she’d reached her limit two drinks ago. Sylvie’s gaze drifted around the room at the women present. Her bestest friend Joni, the endearing Faye and now Lissi.

  Lissi’s Chosen led the Jutaks on Team Three. She was also Torkel’s younger sister though the two looked nothing alike. Lissi exhibited the delicate beauty of a typical Enotian woman while Torkel was a dark-haired, dark eyed man whose larger than life presence dominated when he entered a room.

  “This was easier in my teens,” Joni announced as she balanced a cup on top of her head, arms spread wide. The empty cup wobbled and tipped off her red hair, falling to the floor.

  Faye scooped the cup from the floor and filled it from a large container with the drink she’d introduced them to. “Soku is a better use for this anyway.”

  Joni accepted her overflowing cup and took a healthy swallow before announcing in a slurred voice. “You, dear lady, are correct.”

  From her seat on the floor, leaning back against the sofa, Sylvie sipped her drink slower. Faye had warned that the drink to energize tired Enotian citizens would act as alcohol on their metabolism. Sylvie didn’t care. She liked the fuzzy feeling and it was nice to have a long awaited girls’ night out.

  “Are all females from Earth this fun?” Lissi asked, blue eyes shining.

  Faye stretched out on her stomach on the floor and raised her cup of soku high to keep from spilling as she answered Lissi’s question. “I think one could say with certainty that Earth girls have more fun but Enotian girls have…” She paused as if losing her train of thought then a wide smile stretched her lips. “Enotian girls have Enotian guys.”

  Lissi squinted at the ceiling from her position on her back before a knowing smile crossed her own face. “Yes, we have Chosens and Earth doesn’t have enough men.”

  Faye shifted to her side and faced Sylvie, palm to cheek. “Are you and Arak together?”

  Sylvie choked then sputtered. She set her half finished drink to the side. “What?”

  Joni laughed and joined them on the floor, legs crisscrossed. “I think she likes him.”

  Sylvie shot her friend a glare. “I do like him. We’re friends.”

  Lissi rolled to her stomach, her gauzy, yellow dress fluttering around slim legs, and propped her chin on her combined fists. “Arak is the quiet one but with a core of steel.”

  Her words fell into silence and all of them stared. Lissi flushed and took a hasty sip of her drink. Faye had mixed Enotian liquor with the soku and the blonde had a bigger buzz than all of them combined. Sylvie bit back a smile. Lissi sober was a sweetheart. Lissi drunk was downright adorable.

  “Yes, well. We’re not dating or anything. Friends,” Sylvie emphasized.

  Faye cleared her throat. “I guess you know all the men fairly well, huh Lissi?”

  “Mmm-hmm,” Lissi hummed under her breath and twirled a strand of blond hair. “Rydak and I have been together for a while now. Jaron plays a lot but he works hard. Faruk can be distant and Kyele—”

  They waited for her to say more but Lissi seemed lost in counting the threads in the carpet.

  “Torkel always warns me to have a care around Team Three,” Faye said.

  Other than Bane, Sylvie had never officially met anyone from Team Three. She knew Arak worked with Team One under Jaron and Kyele worked with Team Two under Faruk. The other names and guys blended together.

  Lissi blinked. “Really? The entire Unit is always polite and nice to me.”

  Joni rolled her eyes and pursed her lips. “Every one of those men know better than to cause you so much as a frown.”

  A crease appeared between Lissi’s arched brows. “That’s not true. I don’t think. Maybe.”

  Faye covered her mouth but humor danced in her eyes.

  “It’s very true,” Joni continued. “Your brother is the head of the Jutak warriors based here and your Chosen is one scary fuck who never removes his leather gloves.”

  “Hot leather gloves though,” Faye chimed in.

  “Absolutely,” Joni agreed.

  Sylvie’s curiosity roused. Why didn’t Rydak remove his gloves? Were his hands deformed?

  Lissi waved her hand in an airy motion and wobbled. Her face planted onto the carpet but she popped up before any of them could help. Wisps of blond hair stuck to her forehead. “Enotians born of the original five families are sensitives. The gloves create a filter to keep him from picking up on the thoughts and emotions of those he touches.”

  Sylvie couldn’t help blurting, “He’s a psychic?”

  Lissi sucked her teeth and tried to touch her nose with her tongue. “I guess.”

  Faye peered at her closer. “Doesn’t that bother you? That he could know your every thought?”

  Sylvie didn’t think that would be a good thing either. Lissi giggled and her eyes bugged. “I have a secret.”

  They all leaned forward, making no effort to hide their interest.

  “Rydak can’t read me and sometimes it drives him mad.” As she burst into peels of laughter Lissi’s empty cup fell from her hand.

  Faye snickered and soon all of them lay stretched on the floor unable to stop laughing more than Lissi’s words warranted. They were still laughing when Torkel, Arak and Kyele entered Faye’s home followed by a man with ice-gray eyes and a blond ponytail. For some reason his appearance started the laughter again so Sylvie laughed along.

  “Hello, Sylvie.”

  Tears streamed down Sylvie’s face as she met Arak’s glowing blue eyes. “Hi, Arak.”

  A grin split his face. He really was too handsome, the familiar black uniform hugging his sleek frame in all the right places.

  Torkel came over and lifted his prone Chosen from the floor. “I don’t have to ask if you enjoyed yourself.”

  Faye leaned up and kissed his chin. “Hey.”

  Torkel’s smile beamed forth. “Hey.”

  Arak knelt at Sylvie’s side and helped her to her feet. “So this is hanging?”

  Sylvie stumbled into his side as the room swirled and Arak picked her up without hesitation. “I’m fine. I can walk.”

  “Allow me to carry you. For the safety of others.” A thread of humor laced his words.

  Sylvie tried to puzzle his remark through the alcoholic fog. She was sure he’d just insulted her but the thoughts wouldn’t align. A light snore from the floor drew their gaze downward. Lissi lay curled up, arms under her head as she slept.

  Torkel cast an indulgent grin in his sister’s direction
. “You’ll have to carry her home, Rydak. I don’t think Lissi’s waking any time soon.”

  The blond man with the long hair moved from the entrance. This gift to the visual senses was Lissi’s? Rydak approached his slumbering Chosen, stunning Sylvie with his beauty. He went to one knee and brushed the hair back from her face. When Rydak glanced up, he looked from Faye to Joni then Sylvie. “She had fun?”

  His hands continued to stroke through Lissi’s hair, the black gloves appeared obscene against the brilliant curls. Faye was busy nibbling on Torkel’s jaw line and Joni was in a stare off against Kyele, who’d yet to come closer. Sylvie stared at Rydak, impressed by his ability to wear his shoulder-length blond hair in a pony tail without looking the least bit feminine. In fact, he appeared down right intimidating with a touch of unworldly beauty.

  Sylvie swallowed. No man should be that gorgeous. “Lissi had the best time. You’re very lucky, she’s beautiful inside and out.”

  Rydak lifted Lissi without awakening her. Sylvie admired the brief flare of passion in the steel-gray gaze as he held his Chosen close to his heart. Their eyes met across Lissi’s blonde head.

  “She is and I am.” Rydak tipped his head in her direction and strode from the room.

  Joni managed to get to her feet. “I think this means the party’s over.”

  Sylvie struggled to get down but Arak’s hold tightened. “I don’t believe you’re fit to take the hover car.”

  Joni tried to walk the long way around Kyele in an effort to avoid him but tripped on Lissi’s cup and fell toward the floor. Sylvie cried out but Kyele moved in a blur and had her friend in his arms before any of them could react.

  “I might need help getting home.” After the announcement, Joni’s head lolled on Kyele’s black covered shoulder, eyes rolling back as she passed out.

  Kyele’s panicked green stare hit Sylvie, his scar twitching. “Is she alright?”

  He made no effort to hide his worry for Joni. Sylvie nodded and immediately regretted the motion when her head started to pound. Arak nuzzled the top of her head and she allowed her weight to relax into his hold. Warmth along with drowsiness seeped into her pores. “She’ll be fine in the morning minus the hangover.”