Carly grabbed her shirt and thrust her arms into it so she was partially covered. “Who the hell are they? I thought this was a private island.”
“Newshounds. The lady at the spaceport must have tipped them off. Either that, or one of the resort staff wanted to make some quick money.”
“Ekim! Yoo-hoo, Ekim!” a woman shouted from a second boat.
“Not her,” Ekim gritted out. He, too, grabbed his clothes and dressed. “Let’s go.” He grabbed the signal gun the boatman had left with them and let it off, signaling the man to return to pick them up.
“What’s going on?” Carly snapped, digging in her heels when he tugged her arm. “Who are those people? Why are they taking our picture?”
“Happy to see Nidni’s greatest lover still has the goods,” the woman trilled. “The stories didn’t have the same interest since our actor god wasn’t providing us with gossip. Circulation has gone down, but these shots of your new lady will boost ratings. I can see the headlines now. Nidni actor bares all in repeat role. What do you think?”
Carly glared at Ekim. “What the hell is she talking about?” Nidni’s greatest lover? Actor? She wanted answers, and she wanted them now.
Another boat appeared and pulled up on the beach beside them. Ekim tossed the picnic basket and the blanket on board before turning to her. Carly ignored his outstretched hand and scrambled aboard the boat by herself. Ekim followed, and the boatman pushed the boat out into deeper water.
“Can it wait until we get back to our room?” He glared past Carly, and when she turned, she saw the two boats were following.
“How about a clue?” Carly’s hands clenched as she studied Ekim’s grim face.
“Trust me. We’ll talk as soon as we’re in private. I don’t want to risk anyone overhearing.”
Carly’s mouth tightened, all sorts of scenarios chasing through her head. None of them were good. Gut instinct warned her to run and not look back.
The silence stretched between them, broken only by the purr of the boat motor and the hollered questions from the rude people who were following. Mins later, they reached the shore. Carly jumped onto the sand and headed for their suite without looking back. Footsteps behind her told her Ekim followed.
Trust me.
Yeah, right.
“Wait,” Ekim called.
Carly didn’t glance back until she reached the door of their suite. The man was walking in a strange manner—hobbling in truth—and closer observation revealed he still had a hard-on of gigantic proportions. Typical man. Always thinking with his lower brain. If he thought they were going into the suite for a bout of sweaty sex, he could think again. She wasn’t doing anything until she heard the answers to her questions.
Satisfactory answers.
Ekim opened the door and waited for her to enter before following.
Carly turned to see his trousers still tented. Perhaps she needed to throw cold water on him to put out the fire. She sniffed and gestured at his groin. “What is wrong with you?”
“I took two argaiv tablets before we went on our picnic.” Ekim staggered to the bed and yanked down his trousers. His erect cock sprang free, and he groaned with pure relief. “I’m never going to do that again.”
“We are not having sex,” Carly snapped. “Who were those people? Reporters?”
“It wouldn’t be sex. We’d make love.”
“I want the truth,” Carly said, ignoring the hurt expression in his eyes. “Tell me.”
Ekim’s chest rose and fell. “I’m not a cop.”
“Not—” He’d lied. “Who are you then?” Carly’s stomach roiled with apprehension and more than a hint of anger. Deep down she’d suspected Ekim was too good to be true. “Why did you tell me you were? For God’s sake, you wrote it on your Interplanetary Love application form.”
“I—I’m sorry. The truth is I’m an actor.”
“Why did you lie? Wait, your latest role is a cop. I’m right, aren’t I?” Carly’s voice contained all the bitterness simmering inside her, pushing at her chest. “You wanted to research your role and used me to do it.” She witnessed the guilt in his expression. Disappointed, she turned to her bag and threw in the few clothes and personal items she’d taken out earlier. A lump built inside her throat, and she bit down hard on her bottom lip. Dammit, she wasn’t going to show a shred of emotion. She would not cry.
Ekim straightened, attempting to fasten his trousers. Her brows rose on seeing his cock. It got in the way, and with a soft curse, he gave up. “What are you doing?”
Carly wrenched her gaze off him, his dick. “Packing. I know what I want, and it isn’t a man who lies to me.”
“Wait. Let me explain.”
Carly ignored his plea and picked up her bag. “I’m going home.” She walked to the door and opened it. Without looking back, she stepped through the doorway and strode away, trying to subdue the acute sense of loss that weighted every step.
Chapter Ten
“How did you meet Ekim Ramuk? Is he as good in the gel-bed as everyone says?”
Carly knocked the sleek blue transmitter-phone away from her face and kept walking. She ignored the questions and the flash of recorder lights as she made her way through the spaceport to await her departure for Earth. Talk about a nightmare. Another male dud. Did she have a tattoo on her forehead saying Apply here—liars are welcome? Jeesh, if it weren’t for the nosy reporters, she would have found a quiet corner and sat down to howl.
Perhaps she should have ticked the box listing preference for females. She sure couldn’t do worse than her strike rate so far. The knowledge twisted inside her, icy pain reverberating until desperation to scream itched in her throat. Carly sat in an empty seat in the waiting lounge and closed her eyes. It wasn’t as if she pretended she was perfect. She wasn’t. But she sure as heck didn’t deserve this crappy bad luck.
“Memsaab! Memsaab! Please, won’t you tell me your story?”
Carly opened her eyes to see a small, thin woman with bright red hair peering at her in concern, but the hard, avaricious eyes were a dead giveaway. This woman would screw her energetically and laugh once she’d finished—if Carly gave her the opportunity.
“No comment. Go away.” Carly closed her eyes and prayed she could board early.
“Nisha Storrisome of the Nidni Press. We’ll pay well for an exclusive story. Ekim Ramuk doesn’t do interviews. He keeps his private life close, and we have to learn about him via his lovers. We want to print your story.” The woman’s armful of thin gold bracelets rattled as she emphasized her point.
Carly shuddered inwardly, feeling sneaking sympathy for Ekim. It sounded as if they hunted and hounded him to uncover facts about his private life. Then she hardened her heart. He’d lied. They’d known each other for three months and the entire time he’d kept up his charade of being a cop. They’d talked about their hopes, Ekim’s dreams for the future of writing a spy thriller and covered every subject they could think of during their calls via comm.
When had he intended to tell her the truth?
“Tell me how he rates in the lover stakes. The other women who’ve sold their stories tell us he’s the best. He consistently tops the yearly poll for Nidni’s greatest lover. His face sells magazines and newssheets. Go look in the spaceport gift shop if you don’t believe me.”
“I don’t like gossip,” Carly replied, not bothering to hide her distaste. “And I don’t have time to read magazines.”
The woman blew through pursed lips. “Well, lady. You can be rich and famous too. All you need to do is tell me your story.” She reached into her copious handbag and produced a business card. “Take this. Ring me when you’re ready to make a deal.”
“How much are you willing to pay?” Carly asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
“Twenty thousand transferred to your account.” The smug look on the reporter’s thin face pissed her off. Then the amount the woman mentioned registered, and her mouth dropped open as she stared. The
woman’s titter snapped her from her shock. Bloody hell. No wonder his prior girlfriends had sold him out.
But she wasn’t like those other women.
The call for Carly’s flight poured through the speakers and boarding commenced. She stood and attempted to walk around the reporter. The woman kept pace, trotting at Carly’s side like an eager hunting beest.
“Remember if you change your mind, my name is Nisha Storrisome. Communicate with me at any time.”
Carly boarded the spaceship without looking back. Yeah, Ekim might have hurt her feelings, but she’d never sell him out to the press.
* * * * *
Rajah took an entire night and a day to settle down. The next morning, Ekim glanced at his groin with relief. Grata, he’d never pop one of those pills again. He’d rather die of embarrassment first than experience a painful hard-on for that long again. Self-pleasuring hadn’t put a dent in Rajah’s determination to get the job done, so in the end Ekim had tried to go to sleep. A groan escaped as he rolled over and climbed to his feet. His body ached, as if he’d done stunts for one of his action vid-coms with several retakes.
Ekim paced a circuit around the luxurious suite. Every step reminded him of Carly and the fact she’d left. No point staying here amongst humiliating and painful memories. Ekim started to pack.
Half a day later, he entered his parents’ dwelling. Decorations for the Peti festival festooned the honey-colored palace. Strands of colored lights, scented candles and burning incense pots were everywhere Ekim looked. Dozens of relations had arrived to join the celebration, and they filled the palace with laughter and excitement.
Ekim wanted to curse as he dodged from sight. He didn’t want family—his younger cousins in particular—hanging off his every word and seeking him out to learn about his latest role. It was difficult to pretend with misery pressing down on his shoulders. Perhaps he should have gone to his dwelling, but he hadn’t wanted to be alone. Damn, why hadn’t Carly listened to his explanations? She hadn’t given him a chance.
He crept through the outer reception room and escaped his aunt and her five daughters by cutting through the formal gardens. Luck ran out and he came face-to-face with his sister.
“Ekim. What are you doing here?” Rala demanded. “I thought you were working.”
“I lied,” he snapped.
“Where were you then? Mama will be pleased you’re here.”
So she could parade him in front of the relatives and gloat about his reputation, Ekim thought with bitterness. “I was with Carly.”
“Carly? That’s wonderful.” She clapped her hands together and bounced up and down in excitement. “I like Carly. How is she? Where is she? I want to say hello.”
“She’s not here.” New anguish stabbed his heart. He’d known how she felt about the truth, and now it was too late.
Rala’s mouth thinned. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything. The newshounds turned up at the resort where we were staying. The pictures are probably out by now, and whatever rubbish they decided to print with them.” He and Carly had been practically naked. “Mama’s not going to like the pictures.”
“Where’s Carly?”
“Halfway back to Earth by now.”
“And you let her go? Imbecile.” Rala struck him on the arm, hard enough to leave a bruise. The force of the blow reverberated up her arm, and she rubbed her hand surreptitiously. “Why aren’t you going after her?”
“She doesn’t want to see me again. She told me.”
“Are you going to let her go without a fight?” Rala’s temper rose until it threatened to choke her. Her hands balled to fists, cracking the henna patterns painted on the backs. A piece flaked off and fell to the ground, and she stared at it while trying to gather the reins of her fury. When she was certain she wouldn’t scream at the injustice of the marriage laws, she caught his gaze. “Are you sure? Have you tried to talk to her?”
“She thinks I lied to her.” Ekim glared at her. “This is your fault. If you hadn’t meddled in my private life, none of this would have happened.”
Rala fought to contain her shriek as she watched her brother stalk away. Her fault? He was the one dragging his feet. They were perfect for each other.
Rala stomped after her brother, prepared to do battle. His shoulders were slumped as if he bore a heavy burden. Rala frowned and guilt surfaced. Maybe if she explained her frustration to him, told Ekim how much she loved Gregorius. Maybe he’d understand and forgive her a little. Or not. “I’m sorry. I know it was wrong.”
Ekim stopped suddenly and whirled to nail her with a glare. “Leave me alone. And don’t ever try to fix me up with a woman again.”
Rala stared after her brother as he stomped through the garden. Of all the ungrateful louts. He hadn’t minded once he’d seen Carly. Tears of helplessness formed and trickled down her cheeks. She wiped them away with an impatient hand. She pulled out her communicator and contacted Gregorius, desperate for comfort, even if it was merely the sound of his voice.
“Rala,” he said, pleasure coating his voice.
“Gregorius.”
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“I’ve done something stupid,” she blurted before her brain engaged fully.
“I’m sure it’s not that bad. Tell me. A trouble shared and all that. Rala?”
She bit her lip and divulged part of the truth. “I fixed my brother up with a blind date through Interplanetary Love. I wanted him to get married so badly, so that we—”
“Rala, people are not playthings for you to amuse yourself with. You can’t interfere in your brother’s life. You will find your brother right now and confess. Tell him what you have done and apologize.”
“He already knows.” But there was no way she intended to confess the extent of her scheming, the things she’d considered and discarded in her desperation. “I did it for us.”
Gregorius sucked in a harsh breath. “I thought that you understood my wish to court you in the proper manner, Rala. I can’t talk to you right now. You should think about what you have done, the consequences.” The call disconnected abruptly, a loud click of annoyance.
Tears blurred her vision as she stuffed her communicator into her pocket. Goddess, what had she done?
* * * * *
“Have you seen the latest issue of the Nidni Press?” Ekim hollered, shaking the newssheet under Rala’s nose. He quivered with fury, clenching his jaw so hard it was a wonder his teeth didn’t crack. “How could she do this to me? I trusted her, dammit.”
“Do what?” Rala said. “Let me see.”
Ekim slapped the newssheet into her outstretched hand. “Carly speaks of truth and honor and integrity and then she talks to the newshounds. Wonder how much they paid her?”
Rala bit her lip. She could guess since a newshound had once offered her an obscene amount for information about Ekim’s younger years. “It can’t be that bad. What does it say?” She skimmed the story, her eyes widening. “This is awful, and the pictures are so…so…”
“Graphic,” Ekim muttered. “Mama will have a fit when she sees this.”
“She can’t see these,” Rala said in alarm, guilt taking her in a chokehold. She had signed Ekim up with the dating agency without his permission. This was her fault. Her plan was going wrong, unraveling like a worn piece of underblouse fabric. “Don’t show the story to Mama.”
“I don’t intend to. But I think Carly should see the damage she’s done by talking to a newshound.”
“Carly?” Rala asked with caution.
Ekim turned and strode to the door with real purpose.
“Wait! Where are you going?”
“I’m going to Earth to demand half of the money Carly received for selling our story to the newshounds.”
“Oh,” Rala said in total understatement. She sought a solution to make things right and came up blank. She had no idea what to do next. Gregorius was right. Playing with people’s lives was bad form.
/>
Chapter Eleven
Ekim waited for his cue to enter the scene. Work hadn’t allowed him to charge off to Earth, and he’d had time to calm down a fraction, but he still wanted to talk to Carly. During the past two weeks, while he wrapped up filming Nazrat, the newshounds had made his life a living hell. They followed him each time he left his dwelling. They peered through fences and bushes and lurked outside buildings. They accosted his friends and family.
Nothing was sacred.
Filming the closing scenes of the vid-cam had become a nightmare for everyone concerned. Although the director had closed the set, a determined newshound had bribed a bit character to give a report. Ekim shuddered, recalling the resulting fallout. Another story. Highly exaggerated. A hysterical Mama. A furious Papa. An indignant sister.
“Ekim, you’re on.”
He strode onto the set in cop-mode to join his leading lady, Tara, who was playing Cami, his love interest. Cop-mode. Grata! Damned ironic that was, he thought as he slid into the role of Nazrat.
“Nazrat, you can’t leave me like this.” Cami wrung her hands in a dramatic manner.
“You lied.” Yep, ironic.
“But Maddox threatened to kill me if I didn’t follow his orders. He threatened to kill my family.” Tara looked up at him with tears flooding her eyes. “Maddox threatened to kill our son.”
“Our son?” Ekim blinked, wondering what their child would look like—his and Carly’s. “We have a son?”
Cami’s smile was hauntingly brief. “He’s beautiful. He looks like you.”
“Cami.” Nazrat brushed aside a lock of her hair. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“The work you do is important. Putting Maddox and his gang away was more important than me.”
“No, Cami. You’re wrong. You and our son are what’s important.” Nazrat clasped Cami in his arms and kissed her with every scrap of passion he could muster.
Music played and the bit players sang a serenade while the two lovers embraced.
“And that’s a wrap. Great take, everyone.”
A smatter of applause filled the set before cast and crew started to disperse.
Interplanetary Love Page 10