“It’s just one person.”
“It will not matter. Some on my home world oppose interbreeding and will look for any excuse to void the treaty.”
“Some of that information would’ve been nice to have going into this situation.”
“I never in my wildest dreams thought such insights would be necessary for you to treat us with dignity and respect.”
Rose sat staring at him, genuine regret twisting her gut. “What of the women we rescued?”
“I do not know what will become of them. If the treaty disintegrates, they will not allow me to bring them to our world.”
“I don’t understand why no one seems interested in discussing Chal’s behavior towards me.” Rose turned her stunned face on her friend but before she could speak, Teric excused himself from the suite.
Rose struggled to come up with a way to engage with Jen that would drive her point home without harming her friend’s self-esteem. After careful consideration, she realized that wasn’t going to be possible.
“Jen, I’m sorry Chal treated you poorly. I’m trying to figure out how I’d be acting if the shoe had been on the other foot. I might have flown off the handle in the dining hall, because we weren’t aware of how strict their culture is about public displays of disrespect. What I’m really struggling to understand is how after Teric explained it so thoroughly, you can still be banging on about it. I mean is you being denied sim-caf and being given a bedtime more important than the survival of our world and theirs? Is it more important than the women and children we rescued? Is it honestly worth ruining Chal’s life over?”
“I have rights. I need to speak up for myself or I really am a nobody.”
“It was just made really clear to us that we’re very different from the Krylon and therefore we’re probably going to have conflict off and on. The important thing is the manner we make our objections heard. The issue now is about how we’re going to resolve this situation and how we’re going to handle conflict moving forward.”
Jennifer sighed and slowly stood up. “I’ll go talk to Chal. I’ll work it out somehow.”
“He’s not an unreasonable person, Jen.”
“Easy for you to say.” Secretly, she knew her friend was right. He was funny and nifty in a lot of ways. She’d been enjoying her time with him until he went overboard with telling her what to do. He pushed too far and she snapped.
CHAPTER 9
Jen walked grimly across the hallway to Chal’s quarters. Placing her hand on the pad, the door slid open. She saw him removing items from a shelf and placing them into a specially made case. She approached him without the slightest idea what she’d say to the gorgeous alien. He surprised her by speaking first.
“I am sorry to have failed you so thoroughly.”
“Funny you should say that. It feels like I am the one who failed you.”
Turning back to his work, he murmured. “It hardly matters for ones such as me.”
“What does that mean?”
Placing several tiny figurines in dividers, he spoke quietly. “I have no parents or what you call aunt and uncles. Being raised by the monks placed me forever at the bottom of the status hierarchy on my world. I can work my entire life for respect and have it stripped away at a moment’s notice by someone with no clue the damage she inflicts and I suspect no real intent to do me harm. It is the fault of my world for being so status conscious, not yours for being angry with me.”
“I think you’re just trying to make me feel better. It’s sweet but unnecessary.”
“I hope my replacement will be more to your liking.”
“Don’t I get a say in this matter?”
“I believe you already had your say, and very publicly I might add.”
“I didn’t mean any of that. I was just upset.”
“Seeing you from afar, I had dared to hope that you were not like the females of my world. It grieves me more deeply than you can imagine to know how wrong I was.”
Jen felt tears welling up in her eyes. She’d really screwed things up and didn’t know quite how to make it right again. Taking his hands, she snubbed back a tear.
“Stop packing. I don’t want to meet your replacement. I want things to go back to the way they were before. I want you to stay with Teric, Rose and I to be your brides, and for us to find a way to get along. Do you really think Teric will allow them to send him another assistant? He already withdrew his offer of marriage to Rose.” Chal turned to her. She took his face in both her hands to make sure she had his full attention before speaking. “He shouldn’t feel forced to choose between the female he cherishes and his devoted friend.”
“Agreed. We will make this work.”
Jen threw her arms around him and gave him a quick hug. “Just tell me what to do.”
“You are a good friend, Jen. Rose is lucky to have you.”
“I want to let you know something. I was an orphan as well. Unfortunately, there were no monks to take me under their wing. I was placed in a huge orphan bank with a thousand other children.”
“What was that like?”
“It was difficult to bear. They controlled every aspect of our lives, telling us when to eat, sleep, and bathe, dealing out lesson assignment one after another.”
Comprehension hit his face. “They treated you much as I did.”
“I learned that if I didn’t speak up for myself, no one else would. It has perhaps made me brash.”
“Conversely, the monks taught us that success is achieved through discipline, dedication, and sacrifice. It is, perhaps why I tried to impose too much structure upon you. I worried about ensuring the treaty was a success and that you presented well once we arrived on Krylon.”
“I’ll work harder.”
“How about we go back to the dining hall for a nice cup of sim-caf?”
“That almost sounds like flirting at this point.”
Chal smiled indulgently. “Come. I will admit to provoking you and you will act demurer than you feel. It will be a sacrifice for both of us.”
“That’s all we have to do?”
“I will be the brunt of every joke for a while. They will say I have no skill at handling females, which is not far from the truth.”
“When you open up, you can be quite endearing.”
“Until our next episode of discord. But come, my lady. Your sim-caf awaits.”
Chal wrapped an arm around Jen as they left, chatting amiably. Within no time, they bumped right into a very shocked Teric, who trailed them to the dining hall and dropped into a chair across the table.
Jen still wasn’t quite over being called selfish by him. Barely acknowledging him, she focused her time on the handsome assistant, enjoying what would clearly be a brief interlude of good rapport. Chal really was quite attractive when he took the stick out of his ass for a few minutes.
As he poured them each a small cup of sim-caf, he commented. “I have heard this is not a healthy drink. The caf part of the equation is meant to increase alertness and impulsiveness. It is an effect you can ill afford with your temperament.”
Jen laughed, wondering why she wasn’t taking his comment personally. He was naturally a blunt person and it was a keen observation. It was the most reasonable explanation.
“That was in the old days. The sim part of the equation negates all that.”
“Ahh, simulated caffeine.”
“See, you made a big fuss about nothing.”
“It appears I have. How can I make it up to you, Miss Jen?”
She peered up at him mischievously. “Since we are going to be a couple and all, I think we should choose endearments for each other.”
“Is this part of the courting rituals on your world?”
Nodding, she pursed her lips as she thought over her options.
“I don’t understand why this is necessary.” Teric’s voice cut into their special moment, irritating Jen more than she liked to admit.
“Do you not have your own female t
o aggravate? I do not like you annoying mine.” Chal’s teasing voice left no doubt that he spoke in jest.
Teric, for his part, seemed thoroughly confused by the total turnabout Jen and Chal had taken in getting along.
Rose dropped into the only remaining seat at the table. “You two look cute together. Did you kiss and make up?”
“Next best thing. We’re picking endearments for each other.”
“Careful, you two. Now that you’re back on track, you’re moving pretty fast.”
Chal preened a bit. “I am one of the few males on this ship with experience making the kiss.”
Both women turned curious eyes upon him. “I thought Teric said it was only done by females who service males for credits.”
“Oh no, get your delightful self out of my very personal conversation and go laugh it up with your own guy. I don’t want you knowing all Chal’s sexy secrets.”
“A bit on the stingy side today, aren’t we? Never mind. Earth Gov has called another session and for some godforsaken reason, I’ve been asked to accompany Teric.”
Chal sighed. “I suppose our intimate dialogue should wait.”
Teric interjected. “No. Stay with your female. Dialogue on matters of the heart and make the Earth kiss. Rose and I will handle the meeting with Earth Gov. They probably just want to iron out the last details and schedule the signing. If anything of import comes up, I will contact you.”
Chal acquiesced almost immediately, clearly enjoying the momentary good rapport he’d established with Jen. The moment the other couple wandered off, Jen leaned over and whispered. “I almost get the feeling, he thinks you should wow me with kisses while I’m in a good mood because it won’t last long.”
“I care not what my friend thinks of you or of us. As long as there is any chance of making the kiss with you today, I will stick by your side.”
Momentarily annoyed that Chal seemed to agree with his boss whether or not he realized it, Jen pouted. To hell with them both. She’d get her kiss or die trying. Leaning a little closer, she whispered. “I wonder if the entire ship would implode if we made the Earth kiss right now.”
“I am not certain if the hull’s protective plating is capable of withstanding the fallout, but I am willing to chance it.”
Jen lifted her face and Chal’s lips drifted across her own. One huge hand cupped the side of her face as he gently caressed her skin. Whatever the alien was doing was A okay with her. Jen could feel a jolt of excitement shoot straight through her like bolt of lightning. Lost in the kiss, she couldn’t say if anyone noticed or found their behavior objectionable.
Chal stood and extended his hand. “Come, we must not tempt fate with our public displays.”
“Can’t argue in public. Can’t kiss in public. What kind of world are you from?”
“One that appreciates decorum. Trust me, everyone who sets eyes on you will assume we are doing a lot more than just kissing if they know you are my intended.”
“In that case, I’m feeling a little shortchanged.”
“You are always feeling something or another. You’re a very emotional female.”
Jen frowned as he guided her along towards the habitation section of the ship.
“Don’t the Krylon have emotions? Why am I asking that? Of course, you do. You’re super pissy most of the time.”
“I have a difficult life.”
Rolling her eyes, she replied curtly. “You seem to be having it all. Deadly ships, accommodating captains, beautiful living quarters, and all the food you can eat. I almost forgot to add attractive Earth girls to the list.”
“Having a female and keeping her are two very different things on our world. I have no intention of getting emotionally involved with you because once we hit my home world, you’ll be inundated with mating proposals.”
“Earth Gov gave me to you, not all you buddies. I refuse to be passed around.”
“Sometimes I think females are crazy. No male is going to pass you to another. Do you not understand that males are many and females are few on my world? Each male will attempt to lure you away, then do everything in his power to entice you to remain at his side.”
“You guys are seriously screwed up in the head. Humans don’t care about all that crap. We just like to spend time with the men we take a fancy to and enjoy a little intimacy now and then. We want to settle down with one husband and have lots of children.”
He snorted derisively. “Let us outline what we have learned about human females so far. You do not fight for dominance. You ENJOY each other’s company. You long to become mated with just one male and want LOTS of children. And last but not least, you enjoy intercourse. Am I missing anything?”
“You’re one seriously annoying little guy. Do you know that?”
She watched his face fall. “I thought you were growing to tolerate me.”
It was Jen’s turn to snort. “I honestly vacillate between loving and hating you most days. You provoke my ire quicker than any man alive.”
Chal’s feet came to a stuttering stop, almost making him trip. Jen looked up, finding that they stood in front of the door to his quarters. Slowly, his hand came up as he looked her in the eyes. When it crossed the scanning pad, the door slid open. He stepped back into the room and Jen found herself stalking after him. She liked the momentary panic in his eyes as he glanced around.
“You just admitted to loving me.”
“Is that what’s freaking you out?”
“I cannot say I have ever been loved, except by my siblings.”
“Thought you were an orphan.”
“Me and my three brothers. They, like me, were raised by the monks.”
“I’m sure the monks loved you. I mean, they’re religious so they love everyone, right?”
“Perhaps. Can we get back to the part about you loving me? Exactly what percentage of the time do you feel love for me?”
Jen bit her bottom lip. What kind of question was that anyways? His absurd way of thinking was part of what drew her to him. “Umm… I’d say at least half the time. The rest is split fifty-fifty between disliking you and wishing I understood what the fuck you were talking about.”
“I wish to increase the first half.”
Edging closer, Jen pulled off her scarf and let it slide to the floor. “You want more lovin’? I’ve got a golden rule. Want to hear it?”
Nodding, Chal took a step closer.
“You gotta give love to get love, my sweet.”
“That sounds like an invitation to mate.”
“Well, it sure the hell isn’t an invitation to argue some more. We do enough of that already.”
A small smile crooked his lips. “I’ve made an extensive study of Earth sexual norms. I am aware that you have sex casually as a way of getting to know a potential suitor. The material stated you liked sexual contact and expounded on all the many ways human females expected to be touched. Naturally, I found most of that hard to accept.”
Jen’s hands went to her shirt and she unbuttoned the first button.
He raised an eyebrow. “Buttons? How antiquated.”
“Most of my clothing has magnetic seams but I appreciate vintage fashions more than most women.”
She popped one button after another until the shirt hung open in front, exposing the fact that she wore no undergarments.
“Your turn.”
“You wish me to open my shirt? To what purpose?”
Lifting her chin, she slipped the blouse from her shoulders and let it slide to the floor. She watched his eyes peruse every square inch of exposed flesh, landing on her creamy white mounds. His breath seemed to be caught in his throat. Jen stepped out of one dainty shoe then kicked off the other. “Do try to keep up, my sweet. If not, I’ll assume you need remedial sex education 101.”
He growled irritably. “I know your beginning studies are all called 101, so that insult is not lost on me, earthling.”
“Yet you’re still fully dressed.” Her hands went
to the front of her soft ivory pants and she made a show of popping open the first hook closure. “If you don’t snap to it, I’m going to come over there and undress you myself.”
His head jerked up from watching her caress her stomach. She watched his nostrils flare slightly. He looked almost angry, but Jen had grown to know him well over the last couple of weeks or so. Whatever other emotions were at play, they were all covered by a thick layer of pure lust. She’d seen it before when he looked at her. It was a good look for him.
“So, it’s going to be like that, is it?”
Jen strolled leisurely over to him and ran two fingers down the diagonal magnetic closure of his shirt, revealing inch after inch of smoky pewter skin. His eyes slid away and she captured his chin with her hand, turning him back to her.
“Eyes on me, sweetness. I want you seeing and thinking only of me tonight.”
His expression relaxed an infinitesimal bit. “You care that I might be thinking of another?”
Nodding, she whispered. “Yea. Of course, I care. I want the man I care about focused on me.”
Snorting halfheartedly, he commented. “No male could be with someone as beautiful and demanding as you and think of another, so you have nothing to worry about.”
Sliding the garment from the tightly packed muscles, she laid it across a nearby chair.
“You tossed your shirt onto the floor, yet you took care with mine. Why?”
“I don’t care about my shirt being discarded in my eagerness to be with you. I didn’t know how you felt about such things.”
“You had no wish to offend me?”
Nodding, her hands landed on the front of his pants. Pulling the magnetic seal open, she shoved them from his body. He ran his open palms over her back, enjoying the delicate softness of her skin.
“I like your hands on me.”
Celestial Mates Complete Series Box Set (Books 1-5) (Alien SciFi Romance) Page 7
