by Pearl Tate
I’m fascinated as she starts running it through her hair quickly. She smiles at me while I watch her. “Were you going to go poke around?”
“Together. When you’re ready.” I’m not leaving her. Thinking about her disappearing from another room while I didn’t notice…
“Oh, right?” Opening the drawer in the bathroom vanity again, I stare in fascination as she uses a round stretchy device to tie her hair up on top of her head. “Don’t want hair in your food, right?”
I just smile and neatly wrangle mine into a design that our house traditionally wears.
“Show off!” She cries before sticking out her tongue. Laughing, I follow her swaying hips as she stomps from the room.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
- Lisa
Travek follows me around the kitchen, pulling out drawers after me. He grabs a butter knife and a few other appliance tools. He even took the potato peeler, so I guess I’m not making those either right this second.
I begin to review the food stock and what we have. It's impressive! One thing that makes me hesitate is that I don’t know when things will be replaced. With that in mind, I start with prepping for a stir-fry with all the fresh vegetables in the fridge.
Travek wanders off, but doesn’t go far. He’s down on the floor, opening up an electrical receptacle. “You realize you can get shocked doing that?” I’m surprised at how much that worries me, but the last thing I need is to be playing doctor if he gets hurt. I'm not even good at the sight of blood.
“Yes. I’m aware.” He doesn’t even look up. The cover plate is off with the screws balanced on it, and he's detaching the plug guts. Has he even turned off the breaker?
“Okay.” I decide ignoring him is the best idea. The less I dwell upon what he's doing the better.
I want to start brownies first and then make the stir-fry while they’re baking. I might as well use up the fresh eggs and milk too. What better way to do that then my world-famous brownies? It helps that I have the recipe memorized.
It’s strange how everything in this kitchen is exactly what I’d have wanted. Not only wanted, but exactly where I would put it—if this was my home.
For example, the plates, bowls, and glasses are all in the cabinet over the dishwasher… with the silverware drawer right there too. Those are the most common items to go in the dishwasher. So, it makes sense for someone as short as me to have their storage area the closest.
I’ve had plenty of time to consider all these things. Charlie made all kinds of promises during the last six months before he took off for university. He said we’d get a home together off campus… and it’d just be us. Looking back now, and being so much older and wiser, I realize that he was just feeding me what I wanted to hear.
I can’t help but glance over at Travek who’s ripping open the wall. Is what we have just some kind of chemical reaction? Don’t get me wrong—he’s great! But I’ve always wanted someone to want me for just me.
Not for what I can give them or do for them. For me alone. Is that unrealistic?
Travek already has a lot of pluses over Charlie. He doesn’t realize how smart I am for one. I learned early, you don’t brag to boys. When you’re dating, you only beat them at things periodically. I’ve also learned there’s no point in arguing even if you know you’re right. So, why bother?
Either move on or laugh about it later. But Travek doesn’t come across as the kind of guy that’ll be offended by me understanding physics better than him. In fact, he could be smarter than I am.
It makes sense that aliens would be more advanced if he’s able to reach Earth in a spaceship. Not only fly through space with it, but entering our atmosphere… capturing me. Figuring out alien technology and using it on me—idiot.
I’m scraping the side of the bowl and almost ready to pour the brownie mix into the pan when Travek swings over my shoulder. “Can I use this?” It’s the mixer I just got done using.
Popping out the beaters, I pass it over. “Sure…”
“What is that?” He sniffs appreciatively.
“Dessert.” Smiling, I pass him a beater while taking a lick of my own. His eyes watch my tongue, and I feel my pussy clench with anticipation.
I’m a little sore, but it feels like my body will be demanding his cock again soon. I already feel my excitement, probably mixed with him, moistening my pussy.
Imitating me, he runs his tongue up one side of the beater, and his expression brightens. “This is good!”
“Don’t sound so surprised! It’s my grandma’s recipe, and she was an excellent baker.” Setting my licked-clean beater in the sink, I pour the batter into the pan and turn to put it in the oven. Even the time is exactly like the one on our range at home.
Travek’s cleaned off his beater in record time too. Dropping it into the sink next to mine, he smiles. “Are you sure we can’t have that for dinner? I don’t want you to work too hard in the kitchen.” I pull him down for a quick peck on the lips before shoving him out of the area.
“Go. Go play or whatever. It won’t be long.”
Travek’s made quite a mess around the room by the time I’ve cooked the rice and prepped the vegetables. Cooking is the one thing that keeps my mind from wandering too far. You really should concentrate while you have a paring knife in your hand.
And isn’t that interesting too? Unlike the cold, metal cell we were in before, we even have what we could use as a weapon. There’s a whole knife block here just waiting for our captors to show.
Maybe the government decided they were going about things the wrong way and moved us here? The idea sends chills down my spine, and I really hope they don’t plan to separate us down the road.
It’s amazing how I’ve come to depend on the idea of Travek in my life long term. He seems to assume we’re a done deal. I’m not quite that gullible.
What would happen if his people come for him? He may have great intentions to stay with me. But if staying means staying locked up in this gilded cage, what’s he going to pick? Let’s be realistic!
Sure, I’m a good cook and I like to think I’m okay in bed—but family is family. Even now, thinking about my mom has me tearing up. She’s going to be all alone with me gone. Unfortunately, it only takes that thought, and Travek takes a break to come check on me.
I need to keep it together, but I let him pull me into his arms. Just for a minute. I need this comfort.
“Are you okay? Do you need a break? I told you we can just eat the brown stuff there. I don’t mind.”
His antics make me smile, but we aren’t eating only dessert. It’s been too long. We need some decent nutrition. We need our strength. “Only a few more minutes, and the stir-fry will be ready. You might want to clean up.”
Instead of going to the bathroom like I thought he’d do, he stays out in the kitchen to use the sink there. Travek watches me saute the onions and peppers with my special sauce. He seems honestly interested in the different vegetables, even trying a few I suggest raw by holding them up to his mouth.
Even though I’m worried about us long term, he’s seems really into me. Asking me questions… praising the food. It’s flattering. With all my heart, I hope it lasts.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
- Travek
It feels formal as we sit down to eat at the table. Lisa spent a long time chopping and prepping the food. The actual cooking of the meal only took minutes—except for the grain that’s being served with it. It’s a white tasteless substance that seems to be filler. It’s much, much better than the Human grain given to us in the cold cell a day earlier. With the sauce and vegetables she’s steamed, it’s all ready.
When I take my first bite, I’m cautious. It could burn my tongue with spices, even though it smelled delicious while she prepared it. But I’m pleasantly surprised to find it’s superb. Lisa appears to have been trained on how to produce food from the source.
“Who taught you to cook this? It’s so good!” My mouth is full when she answers.
“I taught myself this one. My mom and gram were more of the ‘country-style meat and potatoes’ type of cooks. But you can see I need to eat a little healthier." She mentions this as if I’ve missed something, waving down her body casually.
“Are you sick?” She looks fine. Except for this last little while we fought against the effects of the drugs they gave her, she seems very tough and healthy.
Laughing, she shakes her head. “No. I could just stand to lose a few pounds.”
Pounds are a unit of weight on her world. Does she feel she weighs too much? “What do you mean? You’re so small and perfect. Where would you lose this pound?”
Lisa smiles at me but drops her eyes to her plate. “I’m okay being a little overweight. I realize I’m short and there’s a recommended weight for my height. I’m over that.” Shrugging, she continues eating.
I nod, because this I understand. “It’s unusual on Quasar to exceed recommended weights due to the food processing we perform. Everything’s optimized to be perfectly digested and used for peak health in our systems. I’m surprised this isn’t done on your planet.”
Lisa snorts. “That would be nice. Instead, big business that produces food is more likely to change it genetically. They make it taste so good, become addictive, and then harm you over time. How else can the large pharmaceutical companies make money off the treatments for any diseases the food creates? You have none of that?”
“No. Not that our society’s ideal, but that isn’t one of our problems.” Grasping her wrist, I halt her next bite, so she looks at me. “But you’re perfect, Lisa. I love your body and curves.”
The sexy smile she gives me makes my heart leap. The silky robe I’m wearing does nothing to hide the interest I’ll always have for her. She doesn’t hide her own eagerness when she notices.
Grasping me through the robe, she rubs against my length. I love the way her hands feel so perfect on me. Who could have inspired this insecurity I’m seeing in her eyes?
“Are we going to head to your planet? When we get out of here, of course.” She’s open to the idea from what I’m sensing. It’s tempting to go back there to the safety of my family and their money. I don’t want Lisa to notice I don’t trust them, but there’s a part of me that’s cautious about how she may be received.
I look at her curiously. “Would you like that?” I’d love to show her off to everyone. Everything about her is impressive—from her cooking to her bedroom skills. Not that anyone would see the latter. It’s just that I know once we truly begin our lives together, she’ll impress me in many ways. Ways I can’t even anticipate yet.
“Well, I guess so. It would be good to meet your parents. My father’s dead, but I’d love for you to meet my mom. I think that’s just more of an impossible dream, though. It doesn’t look like the government plans on letting your kind just integrate!” She waves around us as if presenting an example.
I nod in agreement. If they’re involved with the Taxin, they must have information on the other species they’ve yet to meet. Something’s happening with them they aren’t sharing.
“Remember how I discussed Bren and Hannah? They’re on their way back now. Bren had his future Ermada and family commitment to absolve, and he needed to deal with that. I’d prefer to see how that turned out for him before I expose you to anything.”
“Ermada? What’s that?” Lisa’s tone is casual, and I can tell she’s really interested. Maybe they’ve something similar on their Earth.
“Our Ermada is the female we’ve been promised to. It’s usually arranged through family connections.” I shrug as I watch her carefully. This could be a touchy subject. Hannah was pissed at Bren when he admitted that he had someone on Quasar waiting for him to come back.
Sure enough, Lisa stops eating to focus on me. Sitting back in her chair, she cocks her head to the side. “Promised for what exactly?”
Taking a deep breath, I capture one of her hands. “For what your planet considers marriage. It’s a family commitment to sire children—or attempt to.”
Yanking her hand from mine, she tucks it into her lap with the other, wringing them together. “So, it’s an arranged marriage. A family commitment your parents made? Why do they do that if there’s a potential for mates?”
“It’s been thousands of years since mating marks appeared. Thousands.” Scrubbing my hands across my face, I try to explain this, so it makes the most sense. “When things changed, families banded together with long-term commitments to each other to carry on their genetic lines. The family commitment our house made is with two other family households. I’m promised to a woman who already has eight other males. That means I’m one of many that will share her bed and father her children…”
“How’s she not pregnant all the time? How many kids does she already have? And how many husbands did you say… eight, right?” Lisa’s eyes are big as more questions pop into her head.
“She’s only been pregnant twice and both times with male offspring. Females are rare. I’ve heard speculation that both of her children are from my brother, Castor.” When she says nothing, I think back to all she asked. “Children are a blessing, but not everyone can produce them.”
“So, just so I’m totally clear and there aren’t any misunderstandings in my head...” She taps a finger against her temple. “Yes or no answers to my questions. Okay?”
Realizing the gravity of this, I set down my eating utensil. I knew this was coming. It’s one of many differences between our worlds.
“So, you have a family commitment on Quasar?”
“Yes, but—”
“No ‘buts’ right now.” Her voice is shrill, and I realize she’s more upset than her body displays. Nerves jingle through our shared bond. Sitting back, I nod slowly for her to continue.
“You’ve known this your whole life?”
I nod again.
“Did you want to marry her… commit to her or whatever?”
“No.” I’m tempted to expand upon that statement, but I don’t. There’s so much she doesn’t understand about the politics behind these agreements.
“And you don’t have to follow through on this now? Now that you’re mated to me?” Her brow wrinkles as if this is a bad thing.
“Correct. Mating bonds supersede any other agreements and always have.” I don’t understand much about them from the past, but mating bonds were always discussed as antiquated and barbaric. Right now, though, it’s a lifeline.
“And you’re glad?” Exasperated, I grab her chair and yank her to me.
“So glad. So thankful. You’ve no idea.” She’s frozen in my arms.
Clutching her tight, I let our food get cold as I think about what I’ve dodged on the planet. A life of servitude to goals that are now outdated. Everything is structured to make sure our species and the bloodlines continue.
Now, I know mine will. Changed, yes. But different and better. Lisa is my miracle.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
- Lisa
I can’t ask any more questions while I’m pissed off like I am. Instead, I eat, even though I’ve totally lost my appetite. I plug away determined to finish, since it’s likely to help flush any of the crap from the tranquilizer out of my system.
We finish our food silently. Travek pretends like it’s the best thing he’s ever eaten in his life. I’m not fooled. Just like I can detect his worry and hesitation, he must be able to experience my dismay and anger.
I can’t help it though. My mind automatically wonders if I’ve just landed in another situation that will piss me off long term?
Before this conversation, I was only worried about the mechanics of the mating. Like a forced chemical match. Totally without our consent, our bodies have “decided” for us we’d make good babies or something.
But now, besides the chemical reaction we have for each other, it appears that Travek came looking to dodge his own family issues. I mean, come on! That’s fucked up.
Is it really his fault th
ough? This is something that must date back to shortly after their matings died out right? A bunch of families worked out with their neighbors who would hook up with whom?
I try to place myself in his shoes… what if I was promised to someone on Earth? Someone older with multiple spouses already? Someone who would expect me to sleep with them and try to get knocked up?
Yes, it’s really fucked up. And I’m empathetic to his situation. I just fucking hate being the rebound!
Travek finishes his plate quicker than I did and stares at me wordlessly as I finish. To make conversation, I ask the obvious, “Did you get enough?” Waving at the stove I add, “There’s more.”
“No, thank you. It was delicious, and I’m full. Really, I’m trying to figure out the best way to discover a way out of here.” He waves his arms around. “It sucks to have to dig through the wall surfaces to find out where this electrical comes from and goes through. And what they have in the walls isn’t enough power to run what I would expect…” He seems puzzled as he trails off.
“Well, normally a fridge or stove runs off more power, I think. You could check behind them?” He looks at both the appliances I point at, considering what I’ve suggested. “Let me just clean up the top, and you can drag the stove out. It’s smaller and isn’t loaded with stuff.”
We spend a couple minutes putting away the leftovers. I move the brownies onto the countertop while he pulls the range out to get behind it. Cutting the dessert into small pieces, I stack them neatly on a plate.
Travek’s disassembling the large plug and receptacle as I fish around for some plastic wrap. Sure enough, there’s the familiar yellow box waiting for me to use it. I can’t get over how odd it is to have everything at my disposal.
A fizzling sound and grunt makes me peek over the side of the stove where Travek is working. He’s lying in a crumpled heap on the floor and smoke wafts from the area of the wall he was poking in.
“Travek!” When he doesn’t answer, I run around the island so I can get over to where he's laying. I can’t remember anything I learned about electrical shocks. “Travek!”