∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Mac leaned her forehead against the door, her breath coming out in little gasps. Dear God, she'd nearly gotten a full frontal of Nikhil. If the blanket hadn't snagged on the bed she would have, and she wasn't sure if she was grateful for that or resentful.
Pushing away from the door, she took in the room that she'd spent so much time in yesterday. Well, she'd actually spent it all in the shower with Nikhil... No, she wouldn't think about that.
Along the far wall, she saw several crystals. Moving across the room to them, she pushed the top one and what looked like an alien urinal appeared. Quickly, she pushed the crystal again, and it disappeared.
Pressing the next crystal, what appeared to be a tankless toilet popped out of the wall, and she sighed in relief. She hadn't realized how badly she needed to use it until she saw it. Turning, she was about to remove the blanket that had been covering her when the cleansing room door slid open.
"What the fuck?" Her hands tightened on the blanket as Nikhil stormed in, grateful to see he had at least pulled on his pants. "I shut that door!"
"You did not seal it."
"Well, how the hell do I do that?"
"You hold the crystal down."
"Then get out and I will."
"Mackenzie... what is wrong? Why are you so angry?"
"Why? Oh, I don't know why? I mean, what do I have to be angry about? I was taken from my home against my will. Sold as a slave, then starved and beaten when it was discovered I was female! Then I get thrown into some God damn tube, and when I come out, I'm supposedly the True Mate to someone I've never met!" Mac found she was slapping her hands against his chest with each exclamation, and that he was backing up with each one. "Now all I want is some privacy! Some time to figure out what the hell is what, and you come storming in here acting like I owe you an explanation!"
"Mackenzie... I am only trying to help...”
Mac felt her eyes fill because she knew he was telling her the truth. He was only attempting to help. She was the one that seemed to be wanting more.
"I know," she said trying to calm down. "I just need a few minutes alone. Please. Let me take care of what I need to and then I'll be out. Maybe you could find me some clothes?"
"Clothes? You mean coverings?"
"Ummm, yeah, sure, coverings. As long as that's something that means I don't have to walk around naked."
"You will not do that!" Nikhil growled.
"I have no plans to if you can find me something adequate."
"I will do so."
"Then I will be out in a few minutes." With that, Nikhil was outside the room, and she pressed the crystal, and, this time, she held it and heard the silent 'snick' of the lock engaging.
Nikhil stared silently at the now sealed door of the cleansing room, unsure of what just happened. There had been tears in his Mackenzie's eyes, tears of hurt and confusion. Why? He had thought he had adequately explained what had happened, was happening between them. His True Mate had seemed willing to rest in his arms, implying it was why she had rested so well. Yet she had jerked out of his arms after pressing her lips to his.
It had been Nikhil's first kiss from a female, well a female not his mother or sister. He had wanted to take it further, the way his mother and manno did. He'd seen them kiss on the lips many times, and knew it was the way to show affection between a male and his Ashe, but that was never done in relationships that a bead had not been exchanged.
He had wanted to kiss his Mackenzie on the lips, had wished to share that special intimacy with her, but he hadn't been sure what practices her species followed. So he'd forced himself to settle for kissing her palm instead, hoping she would accept it and know how much she meant to him.
He hadn't been prepared for the feelings that had rushed through him as she touched his jaw, her thumb caressing his lip. Or for the suddenness of her pressing her lips to his. His entire body had just frozen, not sure what to do, and then she was gone.
He had caught the flash of hurt in her eyes before she'd fled his bed. Had he somehow insulted her? Hurt her with his response? Or lack of it? He just hadn't wanted to do anything wrong... but still he had.
Spinning away from the door, he went to the far wall and pressed a crystal revealing his closet. Looking at his coverings, he frowned. There was nothing here she could wear; there were only his uniforms. He'd never been like some males that would purchase pretty coverings to entice a female to share her friendship with him. He would on occasion find something special on the planet where he was stationed, and send it home to his mother or sisters, but Pontus had no such things.
He growled angrily at his stupidity for not planning for every possibility, something that as Squad Leader was his duty if he wanted to keep his warriors alive. He scanned the contents one last time and saw the sleeve of a covering pressed against the wall. Pulling it out, he let his gaze run over it.