Ekim checked his timepiece. “Almost two and a half hours today.”
“Weird.” Carly shook her head and scanned the nearest frieze again. Renewed heat crawled over her cheeks. They didn’t have orgies, did they? While she wanted sex and would jump Ekim’s bones in a heartbeat—if he gave the nod—she liked her sex on the private side.
A kiss in public, like this afternoon, was about as adventurous as she ventured. Give her cool sheets, one man, privacy, and that was another story. Maybe, she’d stretch to two men if the circumstances were right. Carly glanced at the entwined couple carved in stone in quiet speculation. Maybe she was missing out by not having sex in public?
“What does one do on a pilgrimage to this temple?” Carly asked when curiosity became too much for her. She tugged at the scarf around her face, loosening it so she could feel the air on her hot cheeks.
Ekim’s grin widened to toothy, visible even though his hat screened most of his face and covered his dark hair. “Whatever you like,” he murmured, leaning close enough for his spicy scent to play havoc with her senses.
Carly suppressed a groan as his warm breath drifted across her ear. She could feel the heat of it, even through her scarf. Who’d have guessed an ear was an erogenous zone?
She shuffled from foot to foot, the proximity of Ekim and the atmosphere of the temple making her all too aware of how much she craved the release of good, hot, sweaty sex.
Ekim grasped her arm and drew her away from Rala and his mother, deeper into the temple complex. Inside, it was much darker, more intimate. Torches tucked in wall sconces lit the way, but there were plenty of dark alcoves for amorous couples. Judging by the giggles and deep breathing, many of the private spots were in use.
“Some people come to learn while others come to socialize or recharge and celebrate the joy of sex,” Ekim said.
Carly digested his words and tried to apply them to his mother and sister. It was better to concentrate on this than the urgent need building inside her. She pictured mother and daughter…
Uh-huh. Imagining naked women wasn’t her style at all. Ekim, now visualizing him wasn’t a burden. As she walked at his side, she was aware of his masculinity and the dampness between her legs.
“Does your father visit?” she asked and frowned at the breathy tone. She had to get a grip on her runaway libido. Jeesh. Bad word choice. She did not need to get a grip or think about gripping anything, no matter what her body craved. Her gaze darted to Ekim’s groin and away again before he noticed. No gripping with body parts. Not here with his mother and sister in the proximity.
“Sometimes.” Ekim chuckled. “He encourages my mother to visit. I think he enjoys the benefits on her return, but I try not to think of it, you understand. What child wants to think about their parents’ marriage bed? I’d rather think about you.”
That was it. Carly’s control slipped. She grabbed Ekim and yanked him into the nearest alcove, uncaring if anyone else occupied it or not. She slammed against his body, drew his head down and kissed him for all she was worth.
At first, he did nothing, then his arms came around her, and he clasped her against his chest, kissing her back with gratifying urgency. Their lips slid against each other, nibbling, tasting. Getting acquainted, and it felt pretty damn good.
Her hands slid under the hem of his shirt to explore his smooth back. Muscles flexed beneath her exploring hands, making her want to explore further.
“By the Goddess. Carly,” he murmured.
Her busy hands slid down to clutch his arse then slipped between them to cup the impressive bulge at his groin. He groaned, thrusting lightly against her hand. With gratifying speed, he backed them farther into the dark recesses and crammed her between his muscular body and the wall. His mouth claimed hers again, and she clung, glorying in his possession.
Hard rock dug into her back and cool air brushed the bare skin of her belly where Ekim’s hand lifted her shirt. Carly didn’t care. She wanted with an urgency she’d never experienced before, her entire body trembling with desire.
“Ekim? Ekim!” Rala’s voice intruded on their private moment. “Where are you? Ekim?”
Ekim pulled away but continued to hold her. Rajah was getting closer and closer to an explosion. Astonishment along with excitement pushed him toward desperation, made him want to hide from his sister, but Rala’s tone indicated this little episode was over.
“She’s not going to leave,” he murmured and pressed a lingering kiss to Carly’s smooth forehead. A silent apology when he wanted to hoard her company for himself. “We’ll continue this later.”
A success. While packing his bag, he’d swallowed down some of his latest potion. Exhilaration bubbled inside him. Rajah was alive and kicking, ready to celebrate the attentions of a very attractive woman.
The last time he and Carly had fooled around hadn’t been a one-off.
“Ekim?” Rala’s panicked voice jerked him into action.
“We’re here. What’s the problem?” Ekim moved out of the dark alcove to stand near a wall sconce. When Carly joined them, he curled his arm around her waist despite Rala’s presence.
Rala’s glance contained uneasiness as she observed Carly. “There’s a reporter and a cameraman filming a segment for the news. I thought you and Carly might like to join in with the group scene. It’s going to be beamed all over the galaxy on the evening news.”
Although her delivery contained excitement, Ekim caught the underlying subtext. He and Carly had to leave or risk exposure. The hat and scarf wouldn’t make it in the disguise stakes with keen-eyed reporters about.
“A cameraman?” Carly said in distaste. “I don’t want to be filmed. I’d never live it down at work. Please, I’d rather not.”
“You sure?” Ekim asked, trying to keep the satisfaction from his voice. A close call indeed. No wonder Rala sounded anxious.
“Very. I don’t like crowds. Besides, it’s a good idea for cops to keep out of the news if possible. I’ve helped put away enough criminals to make enemies. You must be the same.”
Crap. He’d forgotten about Rala’s falsehoods. “We can go back to the hotel, or we can explore the far end of the temple complex. Not many people risk going there since some of the stone buildings are dilapidated.”
“It seems a shame to return to the hotel so soon,” Carly said.
“I agree,” Rala said. “Carly should see some of the planet while she’s here, not just the inside of a hotel. Why don’t you take her to the Widow’s Whisper? With the vid-cam crew here at the main complex, the Widow’s Whisper should be quiet.”
Ekim glanced at Carly. “What do you think?”
“I’m in your hands,” she said.
Goddess, yes. He hoped so. Rajah stirred at the sound of her voice, and Ekim couldn’t wait to see what her hands, along with his latest potion, would do when they stroked him.
“Wait here and I’ll signal you if it’s clear to leave. You won’t want to get captured on film.” Rala hurried from the temple, leaving them alone.
Ekim leaned down to brush a kiss across Carly’s tempting lips. He lingered and repeated the process, stroking his tongue over her mouth and urging her to open to him.
“Cripes, are you two at it already?” Rala shouted from the doorway of the temple. “Everyone is at the main reception area. Hurry! You’re going to miss all the fun.”
His sister, the little conspirator. Ekim lifted a hand in Rala’s direction, signifying he’d heard and understood. Taking Carly’s hand in his, they exited the temple and headed away from the crowds, easing up on their rapid pace once Ekim saw the path leading to the Widow’s Whisper was empty.
“What is the Widow’s Whisper?”
Ekim grinned without warning, tightening his grip on Carly’s hand. “It’s a quiet place where I can kiss you.”
Carly’s glance was full of heat, and it felt as if she trailed her hand across his chest and lower belly. His ab muscles tightened.
Ekim eased out a b
reath and sucked in another quick one to gain some semblance of control. “Rumor says a widow, deranged after her husband died, leaped off the cliff, falling to her death. It’s said she wanders the paths whispering to those who walk with their true love.”
Carly’s dark brows shot toward her hairline as they strolled along the path. “Are you a romantic? I didn’t think any cop fell into that category.”
Guilt wiped the humor from Ekim. By the Goddess, he hated lying to Carly. He opened his mouth to tell her the truth before changing his mind. If she knew he was a famous film star, she might behave differently toward him. Ekim liked her even though they hadn’t known each other for long. Rajah liked her, grata, and that was the important thing.
“If I’m with a woman, I like to treat her well, give her my undivided attention, so if that makes me romantic, I guess I’m guilty. But I don’t believe in the legend of the Widow’s Whisper.”
Carly chuckled. “Me neither, but it’s a pretty tale. Cops are realists.” She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Some people call it cynicism.”
Bushy trees with bright red flowers bordered the path. The landscape became rockier and the trees thinned to barren stone with no flora. The path carved between big rocks and over others. They scaled a ladder beat into the rock face and finally stood on the flat top of a cliff. A loud wail rent the air, making the hair at the back of Carly’s neck prickle.
Ekim appeared startled too and glanced around the vicinity with a scowl on his face, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
The wail repeated as they followed the path along the edge of the ravine. Far below a river ran, the rushing water adding to the cacophony of nature sounds. A soft breeze tugged at Carly’s scarf as she peered down at the chalky cliffs. “Are there crocobats here?”
“No, for some reason they don’t inhabit this gorge.” Ekim’s hat blew off, and he scrambled after it, grabbing the black hat an instant before it toppled over the cliff.
“Carly and Ekim. Forever,” a ghostly voice whispered.
Ekim stormed back to Carly and placed a protective arm around her shoulders. He scanned the vicinity with cop’s eyes, searching the sole stand of spindly trees, the jut of rock clusters and the low prickly bushes. “I can’t see anyone.” He paused. “Is that you, Rala?”
“Why would your sister pull a stunt like this?” Carly asked, studying every possible hiding place for signs of a prankster.
Carly caught the hint of red that appeared high on his cheekbones, and the way his scowl deepened. The man had a flaw. Carly wanted to smile despite the circumstances. Temper she could deal with since she had one of her own.
“My sister has a warped sense of humor,” Ekim muttered. “You have no idea. You obviously don’t have siblings or you’d be agreeing with me without question.”
“No, I’m an only child. My father died in a motor vehicle accident, and my mother remarried.”
“Do you like your stepfather?” Ekim continued to glare at the scenery, his gaze shifting slowly across the landscape.
“Yes. He’s wonderful with my mother and treats her like a queen. They moved for my stepfather’s job, so I don’t see them often.”
The breeze whistled along the ravine, tugged at their clothes and chilled their faces.
“Ekim. Carly. Forever.”
Their names hovered in the air before fading. The words echoed off the striking white cliff on the other side of the ravine, startling Carly into a flinch.
Ekim’s arm tightened around her shoulders, drawing her against his solid bulk. Carly cuddled close, her heart thumping against her ribs. That voice bore no resemblance to Ekim’s sister. Somehow, it echoed around them, resounding from every direction in a weird surround sound effect.
“Rala wouldn’t have had time to arrange such an elaborate trick,” Carly said when the wailing ceased.
Ekim shrugged, but he appeared uneasy. “Are you ready to go? There’s a wonderful park on the other side of the village. We can get the hotel to pack us a picnic basket for dinner instead of having a meal at the hotel. I’ll leave a message for Mama so she knows we are out for the evening.”
“Just the two of us? Alone?” At Ekim’s nod, a slow grin curled across her mouth, driving away the prickling skin caused by the creepy whisper. “Sounds great.”
Ekim kept her close, pressed against his side. Warmth from his body crept into her skin, unfurling tendrils of heat. Promises of what was to come. Her nipples prickled against her plain cotton bra. The beat of her heart picked up in pace while Carly’s skin became ultrasensitive wherever he touched her. She hadn’t felt such anticipation since…since she couldn’t remember when. And for a picnic of all things. She was a city girl. She generally started sneezing the second she went anywhere near the countryside and green plants. Gardens seemed to be okay. Wide-open spaces were iffy, but for Ekim, she’d take the pills she’d brought with her and risk a red nose and weepy eyes.
Chapter Six
The porter hailed a covered rickshaw and handed them the laden picnic basket once they’d climbed on board. Ekim tapped the roof of the rickshaw, signaling they were ready to leave, and the droid driver trotted off down the street.
Inside the privacy of the rickshaw, the arousal from earlier intensified until she quivered with expectation, with excitement, with plain happiness. Every breath she inhaled was a hit of Ekim—his scent and his masculinity filling the dimly lit interior. The urge to grab the front of his shirt and rip it off him thrummed through her with such intensity her hands shook. The more time she spent with him, the more she wanted him. For a girl who usually went all-out for what she wanted, when she wanted, the waiting was slowly sending her mad.
“Tell me about the park we’re going to,” Carly said in desperation. If she couldn’t touch him in the way she wanted, at least she could listen to his incredibly sexy voice and imagine he wanted to love her. Just listening to his sexy voice swirled waves of lust through her veins.
“There’s a walk along a stream, lots of beautiful flowers in all the colors you can imagine. A waterfall drops into a pool that’s perfect for swimming. That part of the park might be busy but a little farther along the stream, there’s a smaller waterfall with a private clearing not far off the path. I thought we might dine there. If we’re lucky, we might see a tycat. They’re tiny striped cats, not much bigger than my hand. It’s said luck will follow the person who sees a tycat at dusk.”
“It sounds wonderful,” Carly said. She’d popped a couple of pills during their stop at the hotel. Everything would be fine as long as the anti-pollen pills worked. She was hopeful since the visit to the temple hadn’t stirred her allergies. Nothing worse than a red, swollen nose and weepy eyes while trying to seduce a man. Tonight she’d finally have Ekim’s hands on her bare skin, touching her all over. Her shoulders. Her breasts. In the small, achy, very needy place that throbbed between her legs.
Twenty mins later the rickshaw slowed then stopped. Ekim paid the driver, and they clambered down. In perfect harmony, they wandered hand-in-hand down one of the paths meandering along the edge of the stream. Soon they entered a copse of trees, pleasant and cool after the heat of the day. The tree trunks were brilliant red while the leaves on the trees were long green and red strands, almost like coarse hair.
“What strange trees. I’ve never seen eye-dazzling foliage and trunks like this before.”
Ekim laughed. “Our scientists say the trace elements in the soil turn many of our plants into bright peacocks. You’ll see lots of vibrant colors in our flora.”
“What time does night fall?” Carly asked, dodging a branch growing over the path. Although her watch showed a late hour, a bright light shone high in the sky. Carly had no idea what they called their sun.
“We have hours before darkness falls,” Ekim murmured. “During this time of the season cycle we have two hours of darkness. Here we go. This is the smaller of the waterfalls. We came via the most direct route.”
He placed the black bag con
taining their meal on the ground and squatted to open it. “I think we’ll set up just over there.”
Carly turned and saw he pointed to a small clearing that was perfect for a private picnic. If anyone chanced to walk along the path, they wouldn’t see them, not unless he or she stepped off the trail. She followed Ekim into the clearing and stood back to watch him while he dealt with more practical matters. She didn’t think she’d ever tire of studying his strong face, his dark skin and his dazzling white smile. The man was centerfold material. The thought brought a frown and a reality check. From experience, she knew good-looking men often played the field—her ex being one of this entitled species. Perhaps she should put a brake on her runaway hormones.
“Sit.” Ekim gestured at the blanket he’d spread on the copper grasslike plant bordering the trails. “I’ll see what the hotel staff packed for us.”
“I’m not hungry.” Carly leaned back on her elbows to study their surroundings. “Not yet, but you go ahead if you want.”
Sudden panic assailed Ekim. Carly had a familiar glint in her blue eyes. Not that he minded the way her gaze lingered on his face, his body. The thing was…what if Rajah failed him? Ekim reached for the leather straps of the black picnic bag and noticed his hand trembled. Shook, by the Goddess. His gaze drifted to trace the curve of Carly’s cheek, the lush red lips and a sudden intense longing suffused him. He’d never wanted a woman as much as he wanted Carly.
Ekim attempted to unbuckle the straps holding the containers and bottles in place and frowned, trying to work out how she’d wormed her way into his affections so quickly. Part of the attraction was the fact she didn’t know of his film-star status. He wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to keep that from her. She was bound to see stories in the media or, even worse, they might run into the newshounds. She’d appear in the media then, even if she didn’t want the association. The realization came that it would be better if he told her first.
Now.
He opened his mouth to spill the truth but shut it again before he uttered the words. His gaze hit her lips and lingered. She’d hardly want to kiss him if she discovered he’d lied to her. Maybe he’d tell her later.
Interplanetary Love Page 6