A big kitchen area took up one corner of the room, and once Tanor was through with the shutters, he pulled out a bowl and started chopping ingredients. A little cautiously, she wandered over to join him. He didn’t speak as he worked, but he seemed more relaxed than he had since they’d met.
He ignited a fire in a small metal stove and started sautéing ingredients. A delicious smell filled the air, and her stomach rumbled.
He added something that looked like eggs—pale-green eggs—to the pan, and she had a sudden hysterical urge to giggle. Here she was on an alien planet about to eat green eggs. Was the other ingredient some type of ham? She choked back a laugh, and Tanor frowned at her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. This is not how I expected my life to go.”
“What did you expect?”
“I run—that is, I ran—a shop that sold flowers.”
“Sold flowers? Why would anyone want to buy them? All you have to do is go and pick them.”
“My planet is not as rich in plant life as this one, at least not in most places.”
He snorted and returned to his pan. A few minutes later, he tipped the green omelet out of the pan, cut it in half, and put each half on a plate, then handed her one. She carried hers to a small table, and he joined her a moment later, carrying two glasses of pale-blue liquid. He handed her one, and she looked at it a little doubtfully.
“It’s safe,” he muttered. “Gave the boy my word.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have doubted you.”
“Nah. It’s always good to be careful.”
He dug into his plate, and she followed suit, almost moaning with appreciation. The food on the ship had been fine, but this was the best meal she’d had since she’d left Earth.
“This is really good. Thank you.”
He grunted, but she thought he looked pleased. She took a cautious sip of the blue liquid, then hummed with pleasure. It tasted like a light, fruity wine. By the time they finished, her stomach was full, and she had a very slight, pleasant buzz from the wine.
“Can I wash the dishes?” she asked as Tanor cleared the table.
“I got it.” He opened a drawer and put the dishes inside, and she realized that he was actually loading the dishwasher. The rustic surroundings made it easy to forget that this was a civilization advanced enough to have spaceflight.
“How did you know we arrived?” she asked.
He didn’t answer directly but pressed a small button. A big screen and an elaborate control panel slid out of an interior wall. She recognized the image as a map of Pardor. Small, glowing lights were scattered across the surface, most of them clustered in two large central areas but several of them isolated. He tapped on one of the solitary lights.
“This is Aidon’s ship. We monitor all traffic on and off the planet. I knew as soon as he entered the atmosphere that he was coming. But when you walked out, I thought I had made a mistake.”
“But why were you hidden? Why didn’t you come out to meet the ship?”
He pressed the control, and the screen disappeared again.
“He doesn’t come here to see me.”
“But you were going to watch for him anyway?”
He shrugged and busied himself in the kitchen.
“What happened between the two of you?” she asked.
“Nothing worth talking about.” He rejoined her at the table, handing her a second glass of wine. “So how did you go from selling flowers to being…to nursing my grandson?”
“I don’t really know. I was out collecting flowers on my planet, and the next thing I knew, I was in a cage on a Derian ship.”
“Those bastards. They shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it.”
“Slavery, you mean?”
“Slavery isn’t forbidden, but taking slaves from primitive planets is prohibited.” He sighed. “Not that the restriction stops them. That was our first encounter with the Empire.”
“They tried to enslave you?” she asked, horrified. As much as she hated being taken, the thought of the Derians trying to take over a whole planet was even more horrifying.
“They tried.” Tanor bared his teeth, fangs on full display, and she shivered, suddenly reminded of just how big and threatening he had appeared when they’d first met. “We made it hard enough that they decided to trade with us instead.”
“You traded with slavers?”
“Of course not. But there were other merchants who were interested, and we took advantage in order to gain technology.”
“You don’t seem to use much of it,” she said cautiously.
“We prefer to live the way we’ve always lived.” He shrugged. “We learned what we needed to in order to protect ourselves and our planet. The rest doesn’t matter.”
They sat in silence, sipping their wine, and she thought about what Aidon had told her.
“Why did Aidon leave?” she blurted out.
Tanor rubbed his temple, and for the first time, she thought he looked old.
“Stupidity. On both our parts,” he added when she frowned at him.
“And the two of you have never reconciled?”
“Today was only the second time I have spoken to him since he left.”
“What was the first time?”
“Surprisingly similar to today, but that time he was with a male companion who simply dumped him on the landing site.”
“I don’t understand.”
“When he left, the boy vowed never to return. I don’t think he expected the shifting sickness to affect him, and it didn’t, for several years. When it finally did, he paid someone to bring him back here.” Tanor looked off into the distance and sighed again. “He was so angry. And he wasn’t as sick that time, so he refused to let me help him. He just went off into the jungle. Whenever he came back after that, he went his own way.”
Cautiously, she put her hand across the table and patted his. “I’m sorry.”
For the briefest second, his hand covered hers, then he coughed and stood.
“I have work to do. Do you need anything else?”
“No,” she yawned. The exhaustion of the trip and the excitement of the day were beginning to catch up with her. Combined with a full stomach and two glasses of wine, she was ready for bed. “Is there a bathroom I can use?”
“There’s always the jungle,” he said blandly, then snorted at the look on her face. “We had indoor plumbing even before the traders arrived.”
The door next to Aidon’s room opened into a spacious bathroom, which once again looked rustic but concealed some very modern features. She cast a long look at a tub of gently steaming water surrounded by a curved wall of woven vines, but exhaustion was dragging on her, and she really didn’t want to leave Aidon for much longer. After she took care of the necessities, she went back into the main room. Tanor was bent over a tablet, writing steadily. Despite his industry, the huddled figure looked…lonely. Giving in to impulse, she crossed the room and kissed his cheek. He looked utterly astonished.
“Why did you do that?”
“I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for helping us. Good night.”
She could feel him staring after her as she returned to Aidon’s room and closed the door behind her. Aidon was still sleeping heavily, but as soon as she climbed into bed next to him, he rolled over and tucked her against his body. He didn’t seem to wake up as he buried his head in her hair in his favorite position. She snuggled into his arms, closed her eyes, and went peacefully to sleep.
Chapter Sixteen
Aidon awoke feeling strong and refreshed. That was the blessing—and the curse—of Pardor. The planet rewarded its inhabitants with health and strength, but it exacted a heavy penalty. This morning that penalty didn’t seem so hard to bear, especially with Hanna cradled in his arms. With his mate cradled in his arms. He would pay a penalty for that as well, but this morning he couldn’t regret the cost.
The soft golden glow of early morning was see
ping through the shutters, and he cautiously lifted his head. He didn’t want to disturb her, but he couldn’t resist the opportunity to look at her. In this light, her pale skin was kissed with gold. Her glorious red hair was tangled across the pillow and down over her breasts, half concealing the ripe little mounds. A rosy nipple, paler than her hair, peeked through the silky strands. He carefully brushed away the tendrils blocking his view, suppressing a groan when the impudent little bud responded to his touch.
Unable to resist, he bent down and stroked his tongue across her tempting flesh. She mumbled something, but when he looked up, her eyes were still closed. There was something exquisitely tantalizing about pleasuring her body while she slept. He licked her again, then closed his mouth around the taut peak, sucking gently. She arched against him, but her eyes were still closed, and he slid his hand down over the slight swell of her stomach and through the small patch of silky curls. Damp heat greeted him as he separated her folds, pulling them apart with two fingers so that his third had unrestricted access. He explored slowly, cautiously, circling the small entrance that seemed too tiny to have taken him the way he remembered. Their times on the ship had been a confused blur of heat and need, and he was determined to take his time. Even now, his cock was hard and aching, but he had regained enough control to linger.
A small nub of flesh at the top of her slit grew at his touch, and she shivered. He remembered licking her there, sucking the tiny bud into his mouth as she climaxed delightfully. He released her nipple, intending to repeat the experience, but when he looked up, her eyes were open, wide and blue in the morning light.
“Good morning, saachi.”
“You seem even better this morning,” she said happily.
“I feel like a new male.”
“I hope not too new. I rather like the old one.”
His heart thudded in his chest. “Do you, Hanna?”
“How can you even ask me that?” Her hand came up and cupped his cheek. Her hair fell away from her neck with the movement, and he saw the claiming bite. The redness had faded, but the ridged scar would never disappear. Pride and pain mingled as he reached out and traced the outline of his mouth with a gentle finger. She shivered and bit her lip.
“It’s so sensitive.”
“Am I hurting you?” he asked, appalled.
“Oh no. It’s the good kind of sensitive, like you’re touching…other parts of me.” Her cheeks flushed pink, and the color washed down over her chest.
“You mean when I do this—” He ran his finger more firmly across the scar. “—it feels like this?” He used the same pressure to glide across her clit.
“It’s not exactly the same, but—oh!”
She gasped as he closed his mouth over the mark and sucked gently. His hand was still between her legs, and he felt her quiver against him. He sucked harder as he circled the swollen pearl of flesh, then scraped his fangs along the bite mark. A rush of liquid heat met his fingers as she convulsed in his arms.
His cock throbbed eagerly, and he started to turn her into the mating position, but as he did, he caught the sound of his grandfather moving around in the outer room. Fuck. The reality of the limitations of his life—and how ill-suited that life would be for her—flooded him.
“We should be on our way,” he said firmly and pretended he didn’t see the confusion in her eyes as he pulled away from her and stood.
“So soon? Don’t you want to spend some time with your grandfather?”
“Why would I want to do that?” He had no desire to remain with the male who had made his childhood so difficult.
“Because he saved your life?” she said tartly, and he couldn’t suppress a pang of guilt.
“I’m glad he has some sense of family.”
“Aidon, it’s not just that. I think he’s lonely.”
“He has no one to blame for that except himself.”
Her eyes were troubled, and she was worrying her lip again, but she finally nodded. “I don’t understand, but if you want us to leave, then I won’t argue.”
“It’s for the best,” he said shortly.
Hanna didn’t protest again as Aidon wrapped a loincloth around his narrow hips and tied the knife to his belt. There were obviously some very complicated feelings between him and his grandfather, but she couldn’t help feeling that he was making a mistake. She and her aunt had had some disagreements in their time, but she had always known that the older woman was there for her.
She pulled Aidon’s shirt over her head with a grimace. After yesterday’s fast walk in the jungle heat, it wasn’t the most appetizing garment. It didn’t seem to bother him—his eyes heated when he turned and saw her wearing it.
“Did I mention that I like seeing you clothed in my shirt?”
“I’m glad you like it, but we need to get another one from the ship.” She wrinkled her nose. “Or find a washing machine.”
“Perhaps it’s not the most suitable fabric for the jungle.” He hesitated. “I wish that I could shower you in the finest luxuries, but I would prefer to avoid a trip to the city. I do have some things we can adapt at my house.”
“I’m sure that’s fine. It’s better than naked, right?”
His eyes flared, and he curved an arm around her waist, pulling her up against his body. “Naked is always preferable.”
“Not when there are other people around.” She remembered that he had never really talked about his home. “Do you live in a village or alone here with your grandfather?”
“Alone?” He frowned at her. “My grandfather is chief of this village.”
“There’s a village here?” she asked, astonished. But then she remembered how the house blended into the jungle. “How many people live here?”
“Perhaps one hundred households. I haven’t kept track.”
“There isn’t anyone you want to see while you’re here?”
“I would be perfectly content if the entire village was swallowed by the river.” His voice had turned hard, but she saw that elusive flash of pain in his eyes.
“What did they do to you, Aidon?”
“I don’t wish to discuss it.”
He spoke so abruptly that she jolted back, almost as if he had slapped her, and his face immediately softened. He pulled her back against him.
“I’m sorry, saachi. I don’t like to think about my childhood.”
She hugged his waist. “I won’t try and make you talk—but sometimes talking helps. If you ever do want to talk about it, I’m always willing to listen.”
He returned the hug, dropping a kiss on her head.
As he led the way into the outer room, she found herself admiring the broad width of his shoulders, the strong muscles of his back and legs. He looked like the warrior he was—strong, confident, and powerful. The swirling patterns on his velvety skin and the multicolored strands of his hair made him look like part of the jungle. A dangerous part of the jungle.
Tanor was waiting for them, seated at the table just as he had been when she’d gone to bed the previous evening. Had he been up all night?
“There are fruit and juice on the counter. Porridge for Hanna as well,” he added when Aidon shook his head impatiently.
Aidon sighed and turned to her. “Are you hungry?”
She knew he was ready to leave, but when she looked at Tanor, his shoulders were stiff and his face a stern mask. He obviously expected his offer to be rejected, and she didn’t have the heart to do so. Besides, she was hungry.
“I would like some breakfast,” she said tentatively, searching Aidon’s face for signs of anger.
“Very well, saachi. We will eat.” His tone was less than gracious, but neither she nor his grandfather protested.
Tanor brought the prepared food over to the table, and they ate in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes before the memory of her aunt’s instructions on being a polite guest wouldn’t let her be silent any longer.
“Aidon said you’re the chief of this village,” she said
politely. “I didn’t even realize there was a village.”
“Good. Our buildings are designed to blend into the jungle—just as we are.” Tanor darted a look at Aidon from under his brows. “And I am no longer chief.”
“What?” Aidon finally looked up from his bowl. “Why not?”
Tanor shrugged. “I am getting on in years.”
Aidon snorted. “You don’t appear any older. Who is chief now?”
“Ralard.”
“That idiot? Do you remember when he tried to bring back a flovat flower and got himself entangled in a spirin web? Took four of us to get him out of there.”
“He has changed somewhat since then,” Tanor said dryly. “He formed a mating bond with Laara.”
Aidon snorted again. “I’m sure she’s settled him down.”
The two males continued to discuss various people from the village, and Hanna congratulated herself on the success of her effort to get them talking. But she didn’t really pay attention to their conversation, her thoughts still caught on what Tanor had said about the two Pardorians having formed a mating bond. That sounded like more than just sex. When Aidon said he needed to mate, had he meant more? And did he want more from her, or was she just the only convenient female?
“And his grandfather didn’t leave him out in the jungle all night.” Aidon stood, knocking his chair aside with a crash, and she jumped.
She had been too lost in her thoughts to pay attention. What had happened?
“Because he knew that Ralard wasn’t strong enough. I knew that you were—and the rest of the village needed to know as well.” Tanor stood too, his body as stiff as when they had first emerged from the bedroom.
“I didn’t need to be strong. I needed to know that someone cared.”
The words hung in the air between the two males. Tanor started to step forward, but Aidon ignored him and turned to her.
“Are you ready to leave?”
One look at the expression on his face convinced her that there was no point in trying to get him to stay and talk to his grandfather. She pushed her bowl aside and stood, much less dramatically.
Hanna and the Hitman: A SciFi Alien Romance (Alien Abduction Book 8) Page 11
