Barbarian Lover(13)

It also feels amazing.

I can’t stop kissing her. I see why humans are so addicted to this.

She pulls away after a moment, and looks up at me. There’s dazed lust in her eyes, too, and her hands are clinging to me.

“Come,” I murmur, leaning in and flicking my tongue over her lips again. “The others are busy celebrating. My cave will be empty. We’ll have time to be alone.” And I’m eager to explore her human body and find out what she likes.

She blinks rapidly, and then shakes her head. “No, not yet. I…” Her voice trails off and her eyes become glazed. Her hand moves to the silvery shell that juts from one ear.

Then, a look of horror crosses her face.





PART TWO





KIRA



They’re coming back.

A small part of me had always hoped that we’d never see their spaceship again. That they’d forget all about the cargo they dumped here and let us live out the rest of our lives here in peace with Vektal’s people. We’d settle in, make the best of a strange situation, and eventually forget all about our initial kidnappers.

Wishful thinking, I guess.

But when the birdlike tones of the Little Green Men filter in through my translator earpiece, my entire body tenses with a wash of memories. Of being pulled from my apartment in the dead of night and waking up on an examining table. Of the horrific first encounter with the aliens, and their frustration with me when I couldn’t understand them. Of being held down while they forced – painfully – the translator into my ear. Of weeks spent terrified in the hold, reeking of filth. Of being afraid to make the slightest sound.

Weather conditions on the planet are not ideal. Equipment retrieval will be delayed.

That’s the only thing that comes through, but that’s all I need to hear. They’re coming back to pick things up.

And I still have a translator in my ear.

My breath rasps in terrified pants, and I cling to Aehako’s arms.

“What is it?” He touches my chin. “Kira?”

They’re going to find me. They’re going to find me and because the translator won’t come out of my ear, they’re going to take me back with them. Oh God. I swallow back a sob.

“Surely the thought of visiting my cave is not so terrible as that?” His voice is teasing and sweet, and anchors me back to this place. I cling to his arms, gripping him tight.

I can’t tell anyone about this. The others will panic. My mind is whirling. If they’re coming after the translator earpiece, maybe I shouldn’t be at the caves.

My thoughts are so far away that when he leans in to kiss me again, I automatically draw away from him.

His expression darkens. “Is it me, then? Do you not want my attentions?”

“I…it’s just…complicated.” I shake my head at him. “I think I’m going to go sit by the fire, all right?”

Maybe if I’m surrounded by all the others, their happy voices will drown out the fear surging through me.



AEHAKO



Something’s wrong. I watch as Kira gets up and woodenly approaches the central fire pit. She has a wan smile on her face for the others. And even though she sits with them, I sense her thoughts are not in the cave, or with anyone in particular. She is distant, staring into the fire, and the troubled crease has returned to her brow.

Perhaps it is me after all. Perhaps my attempts to court her unsettle her. Frustrated, I get to my feet and return the paint to Farli. The celebration no longer holds any joy for me. I watch Kira for a few moments more, and even though she smiles and talks to the others, it is clear to me that she is distracted and unhappy.

Never before have I been turned down by a woman I have approached. I’ve shared furs with both women my age, and both were eager for my attentions until they found their own mates. My own mother refers to me as a charmer. Yet this one small human with the sad eyes cannot wait to get away from me.

Troubled, I hand Farli my skin of sah-sah and head off to my furs. I’ve moved back in with my mother and father and my brothers since there is so little room in the caves. I don’t mind – it’s not as if I have a mate, though I’d gladly find a quiet spot and share pleasure with Kira.

When I get to my furs, though, they’re already occupied. Asha is there, and curls a finger at me, urging me forward. This is not what I needed tonight. Weary, I scrub my face with my hand, smearing the paint Farli worked so hard on. “Why are you here, Asha?”

“Everyone is at the celebration,” she says, breathless. Her hand strokes over my bed. “Come and join me. I’ve missed you.”

I shake my head. “Go find your mate, Asha. I want no company tonight.” It’s a lie, of course – if Kira showed up in the next moment, I’d gladly take her into my furs. But Asha has a mate, and I’m repulsed by her careless attitude toward him.