by Terri Lane
“I think those are noble goals, Robin,” she said.
“It would make the world a better place, no?” he posed.
She smiled.
“It would. I admire that about you,” she said.
“Nina, I should be quite frank. I've been searching for a long time for someone with whom I'm compatible,” he explained.
She set her champagne down on the table, gripping the cloth of her dress while her eyes began to widen.
“This search has come to an end today. I know my life wouldn't be complete without a fine woman such as yourself, someone who is grounded and quite obviously a hard worker. I think you would make an amazing leader,” he went on.
“Robin, what are you saying?” she asked, the edges of her mouth twitching.
“I'm saying the reason I'm trying to treat you like a princess—” he said as he reached into his suit jacket, “—is because I want to make you one.”
Nina gasped. Her hands covered her face as tears made their way down her cheeks, staring at the ruby sitting in the center of the miniature velvet box. Silence surrounded them as the prince awaited her response. He implored her with his eyes, his brows furrowing together.
“Yes!” she cried while reaching over the table. “Absolutely, yes!”
The vase in the center of the table fell over and spilled water everywhere, but the two disregarded it. Robin stood to embrace his new fiancé, laying kisses all over her face as the guests in the restaurant applauded their new engagement. When he pulled away, he carefully slid the beautiful ring over her finger and she smiled through tears as he leaned down to kiss her again.
After their embrace, she returned to her chair and started cleaning up the mess from the vase. A waiter quickly approached and insisted he clean up, congratulating the two on their engagement. When the mess was clean, she propped her elbows up on the table and rested her hand on her chin, smiling at her future husband sitting across the table.
“You're sneaky,” she whispered.
“You like it,” he responded.
She nodded.
“And now I've lost my appetite because of the excitement,” she admitted.
“Oh, darling. You should eat something before we head out to celebrate,” he said.
“Celebrate?” she asked.
“We should invite your friends and have them meet us somewhere downtown. A nice place that can accommodate for a large party,” he said.
“That sounds like a lovely idea,” she said.
“Invite your sister—or your friend—Allyah,” he said.
Nina closed her eyes slowly and lowered her head, opening them to look at the ring on her hand that was resting on the table.
“She was pretty upset with me earlier,” she said.
“What happened?” he asked, reaching over to take her hand.
“I made a mistake in the kitchen which I don't normally do because I was preoccupied with our lunch arrangement,” she replied. “And now I'm not sure if I still have a job.”
“That's silly. You two sounded like you were so close. It was no wonder you called her your sister,” he said.
“Well, of course. She's been there for me so many times,” she said.
“Then, call her. I'm sure she'll accept an apology, and I know she'll be happy about your good news,” he said.
Nina shrugged.
“I don't want to bother her,” she said.
“Listen, Nina. You only have a handful of good people who come into your life and make a difference. She sounds like she's one of those people. Don't let the distance grow between you,” he advised.
Nina smiled while looking at their intertwined hands, running her fingers over the textured skin of his knuckles.
“You're right,” she admitted. “I'll call her when we're finished eating.”
“That's the spirit,” he said while sitting back.
When they pulled away, the waiter approached and took their order, making sure to bring them a new table cloth that was no longer soaked in champagne and water. A new bottle of champagne was brought to them as well, free of charge, and set in ice next to their table. The rest of their dinner was spent making jokes and laughing loudly, eliciting some stares from nearby tables.
Nina ignored it. She was having far too much fun to care about what anyone else thought. Though they were being particularly loud, it was the most happiness she had ever felt in her life. She felt open and free, utterly beautiful and unhinged, and she wasn't going to let anything get in the way of that.
After dinner, they retreated back to the prince's room and sat on the bed. Nina procured her phone from her bag and started scrolling through her contacts, sending a mass text inviting a number of people to meet them at one of the more upscale bars downtown. The last person on her list was Allyah.
The phone rang for a few minutes and then clicked, Nina holding her breath as Allyah responded:
“Hello?”
“Hey, girl,” Nina said carefully. “How are you?”
“Hey...” Allyah whispered. “I thought you wouldn't call.”
“Why would you think that?” Nina asked.
“Well, we were a bit heated earlier,” Allyah replied.
“Yeah, I guess we were,” Nina whispered. “But that's over with now.”
“That's true. I'm sorry I got so angry with you. That kitchen makes me frustrated sometimes,” Allyah said.
“I understand. I'm not worried about it. I know you care about my work and my performance, so I get why you reacted that way,” Nina said.
“I'm glad you understand. This is why you're one of my best workers,” Allyah said.
“I like to think we're more than just co-workers,” Nina said, rubbing the fabric of her dress.
“I think that as well, Nina. I think you're one of my best friends,” Allyah said.
Nina smiled.
“I'm glad you think that,” she said. “Because I do have amazing news and I need you to be with me when we go out to celebrate.”
“What's that?” Allyah asked.
“I'm engaged,” Nina replied.
A squeal came from the other end of the phone and Nina held it away from her ear while cringing.
“Seriously?! He proposed?” she asked excitedly.
“Yes, he did! You have to come to Night Circle. We're going to celebrate. I need you there with me,” Nina replied. “And you need to see this ring.”
She looked at Robin who smiled warmly.
“Of course, I'll be there! Give me some time to get ready. What are we wearing? Fancy stuff?” Allyah asked.
“Whatever you want. Fancy is fine,” Nina replied.
“What are you wearing?” Allyah asked.
“A mermaid gown,” Nina replied.
“Okay, so I have to wear something really nice. Got it,” Allyah said jokingly.
Nina laughed.
“I'll see you soon,” she said.
“Thirty minutes, tops,” Allyah claimed before the line clicked.
Nina set her phone down on the bed, looking over at the man who was changing her world by the minute.
“What?” he asked after a few minutes.
She shook her head.
“You're just amazing,” she said. “Everything you do surprises me.”
“I'm glad you're enjoying it,” he said.
“Who said I was enjoying it?” she joked.
The prince leaned over with a mischievous grin and pinned her to the bed, laying kisses all over her collar bone and breasts. She giggled and pushed his head.
“Don't get us started on round two. We're expected somewhere,” she said.
“You don't think we have time for one more?” he teased.
His hand rested gently over her stomach, massaging it through her dress.
“Robin, you're a beast,” she giggled. “But I think we can manage.”
With a grin, she lifted the hem of her dress up and guided his hand down to her feminine portal where his fingers beg
an to dance. She cupped his face and rested her lips on his, enjoying the sensation of his pushing his fingers inside. Everything felt like it was falling into perfect harmony. She embraced him as he pleased her, moans slowly taking over the silence of the room.
They rolled across the bed, bodies tangled together in ecstatic bliss as their moans rose up to the ceiling. Hands dipped down into secret places and elicited moans as mouths collided. A phone rang in the corner, but the two happily ignored the noise. Their eyes were focused only on each other, pupils dilating to take in every bit of the other. Skin crackled with desire and eyes fluttered as they remained entwined, the reality surrounding them melting to reveal only them embracing.
And in that moment, they became one.
THE END
= Bonus Book 5 of 20 =
Son of an Alien Prince
Lights.
Shining bright lights rose overhead. A wind whirled around and kicked up the dirt from the ground, surrounding the area in a tornado of soil and dead leaves. The brush around the great disc bowed to the mighty wind that swept a young woman up towards the sky.
Melody Harp watched the ground recede. Leaves followed her up into the air and blanketed her body as she rose higher above the ground. She looked down at the swirling leaves. It was hypnotizing to watch them dance, the haze of color resembling a natural mosaic. She couldn’t look away.
It wasn’t until the orb above made a loud, sonorous sound that Melody redirected her eyes above. She gasped. The great structure seemed to vibrate with electricity, but never once was she shocked by its steel plates. The wind picked up and she watched helplessly as the tube of light continued to pull her up into the air.
Is this what flying feels like? She thought to herself. I’ve never felt such a subliminal feeling.
Up she flew. Though she felt fear, she didn’t fight against the orb pulling her up higher and higher. It wasn’t long before she was far above the ground, the field, and soaring out of the atmosphere. Smoke billowed around her. It smelled metallic. She tried to turn her head, but couldn’t seem to control her own body.
The lights dimmed and she panicked briefly, her heart picking up a beat as she stopped floating. Everything was still around her, the darkness shrouding her eyes, keeping her from determining her surroundings. A faint blue light grew in the distance and seemed to shine brighter the more she stared at it. The only thing she could focus on was that light. It washed her over, pulling her forward without much effort.
She reached out. Her hand went through the blue light and caressed its edges, but it didn’t feel fully formed. There was nothing solid inside of it, only the persistent feeling that she knew exactly what it was. She knew where she was. But how could she know? This place was still foreign regardless of its familiarity and she knew that for a fact.
But it persisted.
A growing sense of camaraderie stuck with her as she floated forward with the light, following it even though her feet refused to move. There was nothing else but that light. Her arm remained outstretched, continuing to follow the light through the obscure darkness. It was incredible to feel so attracted to it.
Her legs shivered as her feet touched metal, hissing as her bare feet met the cold floor. It was then she noticed the cold. The icy air caused her to shudder and she hugged herself with her free arm. A thin layer of ice had formed on her skin. She plucked it off with ease only for it to be replaced just as quickly.
It remained dark. The fear was replaced with curiosity as her hand pressed against something solid, something warm. It felt like skin.
“Finally,” she whispered. “I found you.”
****
Gasp.
Melody shot up from her bed, her hand extended in front of her still. The feeling of skin pressed against her fingers remained, the warm comfort familiar to her brain as if she had felt it a million times. She looked down at her bed sheets that were askew. She had been thrashing again.
“Another dream,” she said out loud.
She lowered her arm, feeling suddenly glum. It was the same dream that persisted through her childhood, the faint memory of it suddenly becoming sharp. It was the same dream she had experienced a million times or more. Its persistence left her drained as if it was a burden just to watch it unfold.
As the last bits played across her eyes, she covered her face with her hands and cringed. Everything felt so real. The lights were warm when they shined down on her and she swore she could smell the smoke billowing from the strange metallic machine. The whirling air blared in her ears, as close as if she were wearing headphones. It faded to silence.
Behind her, she could hear the soft hum of motors and the intermittent beep of horns. Traffic would pick up soon. She had to get up and get ready now before it became too clogged to go to work. She sighed, her shoulders sagging forward as she tried to gather the strength to move.
A soft mew came from below the bed. She watched as the bed sheets stretched a bit, feeling them being pulled by the creature below. It hopped up on the bed. She smiled as she patted its fur, the fluffy cat purring as she scratched its head.
“Hello, Flynn,” she said.
The cat mewed in response to his name.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
Flynn purred in response, shoving his head into her hand and closing his eyes. Melody smiled again. She lifted the purring cat and swung her legs over the bed, stretching out her toes and sighing contentedly. The muscles of her legs were tense. She felt like she had been running. These dreams were taking a toll of her body and she wondered when they would let up.
As she stood from the bed, Flynn twisted his body in her arms and she set him down. He ran out of the room and she followed him into the kitchen where she opened a can of food. He jumped on the counter when he heard the can pop and licked at the moist food sitting in his bowl.
Melody turned around and set a pan on the stove, turning the heat up and listening to it simmer. It soothed her to listen to the eggs crackle in the pan. When they were cooked, she replaced them with bacon and watched the flaccid strips bounce around in the pan. The scent of cooked bacon reached her nostrils and she smiled, her stomach growling in response.
She set up her coffee maker, dumping grounds into the white filter and then adding water before pressing the black button. It hummed as it came to life and sizzled while the water heated in the container. Soon, the apartment was filled with the smell of breakfast and she shooed Flynn off the counter in order to set up her plate.
When she was done, she poured herself a tall glass of orange juice and went to the couch where she turned on the television to watch the morning news. A number of stories were announced and she disregarded most of them while munching on bacon. The weather appeared and she watched intently as they announced the temperature for the day. She frowned. It was going to be hot again. That wasn’t terribly unusual for summertime in New York, but she longed for the icy winters when snow blessed the earth.
Melody finished her food and set her dishes in the sink, stroking Flynn again as he reached down to lap up the grease from her plate. She giggled and retreated to her room where she pulled on her attire for the day. The pink blouse and slacks were all that was left of her wardrobe, the rest sitting in the basket waiting to be washed. She sat at her vanity and began applying make-up to her pale face, frowning at her skin that desperately needed a tan.
I need a vacation, she thought. I just want to lie on the beach with a martini and maybe an attractive man.
The sound of her clock chiming the hour signaled she needed to go, and she quickly gathered her things for the day before slipping on a pair of heels.
Here we go, she thought glumly.
The city was abuzz outside. Her heels clicked against the cement with a dull sound, echoing off the buildings surrounding her apartment. She walked down the street to her car and hopped in, turning it on immediately. The heat was sweltering inside the small vehicle. She could see it rising off the dashboard in li
ttle waves, imitating the way it rose from the tar. It was going to be far too hot for what she was wearing, but she didn’t have a choice. She had to wear sleeves at work.
Though the drive to work was relatively short, it took longer than anticipated due to the increase in traffic. Melody never honked her horn. She found it pointless. She sat against the driver’s side window and stared listlessly at the cars in front of her. The clock on the dash told her she was late and she sighed, knowing her boss would have a mouthful of words as soon as she walked in the door.
A pedestrian weaved through the mess of cars and she envied the way he seamlessly walked. She wished she could walk to work, but it was too much in heels. The bus was always crowded otherwise she would have opted for that. Sometimes she wondered if the city was even right for her. But it provided ample opportunities for her degree in graphic design, and the pay was far beyond anything she could dream.
As she pondered her career choices, she pulled into the parking garage and paid the small fee. When she pulled into a space close enough to the elevator, she hopped out and shook her long black hair from her shoulders. It was sticking to her sweaty neck.
She walked towards the elevators and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. When she was safely inside, a man ran towards the doors while yelling. She held it open and he thanked her as he stepped inside, his forehead wet with sweat.
“Thanks, Mel,” he said.
“How’s it going, Seth?” Melody asked.
She pressed the button for the tenth floor.
“It goes. The heat is killing me. I wish we could wear shorts to work,” he replied.
“Tell me about it. Thank the heavens we have air conditioning,” she said.
Seth chuckled.
“For sure,” he said.
The elevator dinged. They both stepped out and sighed with joy when the cool air greeted them, walking towards the double doors labeled “Halsey Design.” Seth held it open for Melody who smiled politely. They parted ways at the main desk, Melody heading for the main area where her computer was located. She dumped her bag on the floor and plopped into the chair. A woman with red hair and black glasses popped up from behind the barrier and smiled wide.