Alien Beast, page 10
part #2 of Warriors of Gehar Series
Khem is livid. “I went to Voutis,” he continues. “I avenged my brother’s death. When I came to tell you that it was done, you wouldn't even see me. First, I lost my brother, and then, I lost my best friend.”
Shame twists my insides.
He takes a deep breath and unclenches his fists. “For ten months,” he continues relentlessly. “You have wasted the gift Yasar gave you. You have let yourself wallow. Do you think you're the only person who feels terrible about his death? You think Hakan doesn't feel responsible? That I don't feel responsible? Fuck you. We still show up to work every day.”
Khem is right. He’s absolutely right. Every damning word he throws at me is justified. I have been selfish and self-indulgent. I have acted like I have a monopoly on pain.
Khem looks like he wants to punch me in the jaw, and if I thought for one second that he'd actually do it, I'd place myself in the path of his fists.
I need to fix this. “I'm sorry.” The words seem so inadequate. “You have every right to be furious.”
The tension drains away from Khem. “Damn it, Adon, I was going to yell at you some more. But if I keep shouting at you after you’ve apologized, I’ll just be an asshole.” He flashes me a grin. “Such a conundrum. So, what prompted this call? It couldn’t have been the message I sent with Deroz; he told me you’d stormed out at the mention of my name.”
I wince. “I want a favor.”
He quirks an eyebrow. “This is going to be good.”
“I met a woman.” I can still smell Bella on my fingers. Taste her on my tongue.
He gives a short laugh. “You did? How? I was under the impression that you were a recluse, wandering around with a hood covering your face, not leaving the compound, weeping tears into your soup.”
“Surely the last description is a little exaggerated.”
“No, no. I heard it straight from Jehan’s mouth. Are you suggesting the Second Shield would stretch the truth? Tell me about her.”
“Her name is Bella Ortiz.”
Surprise flashes on his face. “The human?”
“You know her?”
“I met her at Jehan’s wedding. The wedding that you did not attend, by the way. She's one of Keomi's crew, isn’t she? The xenogeneticist?”
“Yeah, that’s Bella.”
Khem gives me an amused smile. “She's pretty. What does she see in you?”
“I have no idea.”
He laughs again. “Do you want me to sing your praises?”
“Makers, no. Bella had a piece of jewelry. A sapphire pendant. It was something her mother left her. She had to pawn it in Reganne. Deroz said you were headed there, so I thought—”
“You want me to find it and bring it back? I can do that.” He looks at me for a long moment. “On one condition.”
“Are you taking a leaf out of Hakan's playbook? What do you want?”
“Buy me a drink.”
I smile for the first time in the conversation. “I'd be happy to. When?”
“I leave for Reganne today. The treaty negotiations should take about ten days. How about in two weeks?”
“I can do that.”
“Bring Bella. I need to tell her she can do better.”
“You're getting ahead of yourself. It's not serious.”
He rolls his eyes. “Are you lying to me or to yourself? You haven't spoken to me in ten months. You call me out of the blue, ask me to go to Reganne and hunt up a pendant Bella’s dead mother left her. Of course it's serious.”
I make a rude gesture at him, and he grins. “As much as I would love to stay and trade insults with you, I need to leave.”
I remember the dark circles under Bella’s eyes. “One more thing. Have you heard anything about Earth Federation politics?”
“That’s a broad question. What specifically about Earth Federation politics?”
“I don't know,” I confess. “All I know is that it’s recent. Something happened in the last couple of days to upset Bella. I’ve asked her about it, but she won’t tell me.”
“Interesting,” he says with a smirk. “You're saying it's a problem when someone shuts you out and doesn't talk to you?”
Okay, I deserved that.
“Nothing is jumping out at me,” Khem says. “But that doesn’t mean anything. I don’t pay attention to their politics.”
“Would Hakan know?”
“Whoa.” He holds up his hands in surprise. “You're going to reach out to him? You must really like Bella.” He considers my question. “He might, but I doubt it. His attention is elsewhere. More antimatter guns have shown up in Semra’s underground. There is an uprising in Dareh, and unusual flooding in Lagash. He's overworked.”
Damn it. I don’t want to empathize with Hakan Abiri, but Khem is right. Dimek wants to step back, Jehan is on his honeymoon, and I’ve been out of commission for ten months. Hakan must be going out of his mind.
“Don't make me feel sorry for Hakan,” I grumble. “I don't like it.”
After talking to Khem, I send a message to Hala Padin, alerting her to Bella's presence in the Gehar Cluster. “Take a look at her publication history,” I write. “She might be a valuable addition to your agriculture program.”
My thoughts keep returning to Bella. Something made her anxious. Almost afraid. Something kept her up all night. It hadn't been something trivial, because if it was, she wouldn't have changed the topic when I brought it up.
Who would know what’s going on?
Then it strikes me. Poppy Rilfort.
Major Rilfort is human. She’s been on the Gehar cluster for a few years now, and she keeps her ears open. If trouble is brewing, she would know about it.
I don't know her very well, but we've been in various meetings together. I look up her comm and reach out.
She answers immediately. She doesn't bother to conceal her expression of surprise. “Your Excellency,” she says. “What can I do for you?”
“Major Rilfort, is there anything going on in the Earth Federation that would make somebody anxious?”
She laughs out loud. “With all due respect, Your Excellency, that’s a ridiculous question. Of course there is. There always is. What specifically are you asking about?”
Hmm. How much do I feel comfortable telling Rilfort? “Keomi's crew,” I say. “Is there anything going on that would impact them?”
Keomi is part of Clan D'arana, and her crew is like family to her. It would be only natural for me to express concern about them. Right?
She shakes her head. “Not that I've heard,” she says. “Nothing comes to mind. If you’d like, I can look into it.”
Another dead end. “Thank you,” I say. “I appreciate it.”
Something is bothering Bella. She's not going to tell me what it is, not until I've gained her trust.
Fair enough. I open another screen. I have some planning to do.
16
Bella
I spend my time at dinner wondering if anyone’s noticed that things are different between Adon and me. If they have, nobody gives a sign.
When I get back to my bedroom, there’s another message on my comm. This time though, it isn’t Commander Duran. It’s Professor Sarov Bekkai from the University of Ilyas. He’s the Chair of the Department of Agriculture, and he is a legend. His holo materializes in front of me. “Dr. Ortiz, President Padin sent me a note this afternoon. I had no idea you were in the Gehar Cluster. I thought you were still at Earth Federation Space Fleet.”
His holo beams at me. “I’ve followed your work for years. I saw you present at Echelon a few years ago. I’d love to talk to you about positions at our university. We’re expanding aggressively, and you would be a valuable addition.”
Somebody pinch me; this can’t be happening.
Just then, there’s a knock at my door. I open it to let Adon in. He sees the holo and raises a questioning eyebrow. “It’s Professor Bekkai from the University of Ilyas,” I tell him, my voice shocked. “He said he followed my work. He’s actually seen me present my research.”
“Why are you surprised?”
“Did you hear me? That’s Sarov Bekkai.”
He looks amused. “You’re positively star struck,” he teases. “Should I be jealous? Don’t play cards with Sarov. He acts like he has no idea what he’s doing, and before you know it, you’re out hundreds of credits. When does he want you to interview?”
“Wait a second, did you have anything to do with this?” I catch sight of his face. “You did.”
He avoids my gaze. “All I did was send Hala Padin a note saying you were potentially available. Before you say something else, finding talented people for the Gehar Empire is part of my job.”
Ha. “I thought you weren't interested in being the Third Shield. Didn't you tell me that you wanted to be left alone? Adon, this is a lovely thing to do.”
He gives me an exasperated glance. “I don’t understand what the big deal is. You’re helping me rehab, and stars knows you’re not exactly here by choice. Writing to Hala is the least I could do in return.”
“Thank you. You're a very nice person, you know that?”
“Don't you dare,” he growls. “I insist on being the beast. People leave me alone. It's much more peaceful this way.” His eyes turn golden. “Let’s move on to more interesting things.”
I feel myself smile. “Would these things involve us taking our clothes off?” I sink to my knees. “Come here, Your Excellency. If I remember the plan correctly, and I do, I need to suck your cock.”
The next day, Adon stops me after our morning workout. “Do you have any plans for this evening?” he asks.
“I have a bunch of papers to read.” The call from Professor Bekkai has lit a fire under me. I am behind on my academic reading, and I need to get caught up. If I'm going to interview there, I want to make sure that I ace it. “Why?”
“I thought we could go out.”
“Out where?”
“It's a surprise.” He winks at me. “Dress in clothes you don’t mind me ruining.”
One glance from him, and just like magic, my body sparks to life. This could be trouble.
We take a speeder to a lake an hour outside Mihwar. The water is the clearest shade of blue, and it’s ringed by tree-covered hills.
Food carts line a street alongside the bank and offer a variety of delicacies from all over the galaxy. A human vendor is selling dumplings by the dozen. A Vikari woman sells what looks like a savory pancake. The aroma makes my mouth water.
“Do you want to avoid the crowds?” I ask Adon doubtfully.
He smiles down at me. “You don’t want to try a little of everything?”
“I’m not the person that’s going to get recognized.”
He laughs easily. “Neither am I; that’s Jehan. Come on. What do you want to eat first?”
We eat our way through the street. I want to try everything and Adon is game. We start with the savory pancakes, which are stuffed with a spicy meat paste and served with a tangy sauce. Then we move onto dumplings. We follow that with some cheese pastries, a cold kiray soup and chips made from the purple tubers that are everywhere in Mihwar.
We pass a stall selling fried fish sandwiches slathered in a green sauce. When Adon sees it, he goes still. “What’s the matter?”
“It’s payali.” He shakes his head, his eyes bleak. “Of all the things to run into.” He gives me a small smile. “Yasar and I were in this filthy dock on Voutis, and he found a street vendor selling these sandwiches. He insisted we both eat them. Typical Yasar.” He tilts his head. “Want to split one?”
This isn’t about a sandwich; even I can see that. “Let’s do it.”
We find a bench overlooking the lake and take turns taking bites of the payali. “He was so young,” Adon says, his voice sad. “Adventurous. Brave. He was so excited about going on the mission. He kept thanking me for picking him.” He laughs bitterly. “And I got him killed.”
I wish there was something I could say to comfort him, but I can’t think of anything that would make him feel better. I lean instead on his shoulder. “He had good taste in sandwiches. This is delicious.”
“It’s far better than the version I had in Voutis,” he quips. “That one made my stomach roil. I didn’t even attend his remembrance ceremony.”
“Would he have held it against you?”
“Yasar?” He shakes his head with a smile. “Yasar was incapable of bearing a grudge. Have you heard the gossip about Clan Vedad? Khem was the bastard son until his father formally claimed him. Yasar went from being the presumptive heir to the spare. Everyone expected him to hate his brother.”
I lace my fingers in his. “He didn’t?”
“He adored Khem. Idolized him. Khem was the brother he always wanted.” He collects himself. “Anyway, enough of that. Want dessert?”
“I couldn’t eat another bite.” I kiss his cheek. “Thank you, Adon. This was a lovely surprise.”
He laughs. “This wasn’t the surprise. This was a detour for food.” He gets to his feet. “Shall we go see the real thing?”
The surprise Adon has planned is hands-down the most romantic thing that anyone's ever done for me. Adon leads me to a houseboat bearing the seal of Clan D'arana. “I thought we could spend the night here,” he says. “Want to sleep on the deck?”
“On the lake?” I grew up in Axiom, where there was no water. I’ve spent my adult life on a spaceship. I've never slept under the stars. This is amazing.
We board the boat. Adon pushes off from the dock, and we head to the middle of the lake.
The sun is setting. The twin moons, Saran and Susa, rise in the night sky. There are other boats on the water. People are dancing on the nearest one. I can hear their music.
Adon turns off the engine. We make our way to the deck. There’s a mattress there, and a chilled bottle of cav. “Drink?”
He offers me a glass. We sit on the mattress and drink it. He tugs me closer. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. “Sound carries over water,” he whispers into my ear. “Once again, you’ll have to be quiet.” His teeth flash white in the moonlight. “Unfortunately, I’m going to do my best to make you scream.”
“That’s not fair.”
“I’m a beast, remember?” His mouth devours mine, and my body flares to life. Every nerve ending sings with pleasure, and my breathing quickens.
I pull his shirt over his head and feast on the sight of his bare chest. The planes of his body are shadowed, and I run my hands all over him. I lick his nipples and ghost my fingers over his abs.
He growls and pushes me backward. I fall on the mattress and laugh up at him. There are stars in the sky and stars in my eyes, and the night feels awash with possibilities. He runs his hands up my legs and I let them fall open. He delves into my wet heat, his thumb finding my clit with unerring accuracy.
I shiver as he circles that bundle of nerves, slow and steady, with just enough pressure to make me ache. “Adon,” I whisper.
“Bella.” He puts his knee between my legs, holding them open. “Taste yourself,” he growls. “Taste how sweet you are. How utterly addictive.”
He puts his fingers at my lips, and I suck them into my mouth, my body thrilling at his swift intake of breath. I grope for his cock, rubbing my palm over his hard ridge. With an impatient murmur, he removes his pants.
He lies back on his back and looks at me with hungry eyes. “It’s your turn now.”
I whip my dress over my head. I’m not wearing a bra, and my panties are a tiny scrap of lace. Moonlight falls on me and Adon growls appreciatively. “I want to make love to you all night,” he says. “And I will. But the first time, it’s going to be hard and fast, Bella. You inflame me. I look at you, and I have to fight to keep control.”
He looms over me and I grab his shoulders, digging my nails into his biceps. Adon brings out the wildness in me. I want him to press down on me. I want him to ravage me. I want to feel his weight on my body. I want to feel him everywhere. “Can I tell you something?” I whisper.
“What?”
“I love when you lose control.”
In response, he drives his cock into my waiting pussy.
I gasp out loud, but the party boat is louder than me, and the night swallows the sound. Adon hears, though. “Yes,” he grits out, thrusting deep into me. “That’s right. I want to hear you scream, Bella.”
“You’re not going to win that easily.” I wrap my legs around his hips, pulling him even closer.
He plunges into me. Plunders me. He pinches my nipples and he sucks them between his teeth. I moan into his shoulder as I writhe under his body. I’m awash in heat and lust and desire. My heart pounds in rhythm with Adon’s thrusts.
I whimper and I moan, but I do not scream. I’m determined not to.
Adon laughs. “How long can you hold on?”
He trails kisses on my neck, his lips lingering on my skin. “Please,” I whimper. He’s thrusting into me, deep and hard and perfect. My insides tighten. His fingers drag an orgasm from my body, and then another.
He doesn’t let up. His thrusts speed up. He slams into me, over and over. I cling to him and chant his name. And then he explodes, and I break one more time, screaming out my pleasure to the stars.
The next few days are the best of my life.
I float around in a daze of good sex and all-around happiness. By now, everyone in the D'arana home has figured out that I'm sleeping with Adon.
It doesn't seem to matter. They don't treat me any differently. I thought they might judge me, but they don't. They treat me with the same warmth that they've always done.
If anything, Anusha beams a little harder every time she sees me, and night after night, the kitchen produces one Axiom dish after another. When I tell Anusha that it isn’t necessary, she just pats my hand. “It’s no bother, dear.”
But while I float around in my happy haze, time ticks on, steadily and inexorably. Commander Duran tries to fight the requirement to testify in person and he files an appeal but the judge turns it down. The situation would normally keep me up nights, but this time, I don’t let it. I am determined to live in the present. I push the worry into a small little box, and I bury it in the back of my mind.
