by Terri Lane
“What if you never heard from me?” I asked.
“I would’ve gone there and broken you out,” he said simply. “So, where are you tonight?” he asked.
“The Prestige,” I said.
“Message me the details and I’ll be there before you know it,” he said. We ended the call and I went to shower and change after texting him. The front desk called up to tell me Knor was in the lobby only a half hour later. When he knocked on the door I had to smile. He was dressed casually, in jeans and a button up shirt, the collar undone. His hair was perfect as usual.
“Were you close by?” I asked. He came in and closed the door behind him.
“I was, my home isn’t that far. You should visit one day, it’s quite nice, if I say so myself,” he said. I led him into the kitchen/living area and he made himself comfortable on the couch.
“Your view is impressive,” he noted. The room had a nearly wall length view of the glittering city. The only way I knew I wasn’t on Earth was because of the sky. Bagar-1 had a giant moon and the solar system’s other star was visible in the sky, though it wasn’t big enough to make the sky bright as day. Though Bagarian summer nights were much like late dusks on Earth.
“It is, I can’t stop looking at the sky, it’s incredible,” I said.
“As the only Bagarian in the room, I’ll take that compliment on behalf of our solar system,” he said. I laughed and joined him on the couch. I’d almost forgotten how upset I was just a moment ago, which I hadn’t realized Knor had the power to do.
“Thoughts?” he asked.
“You make me smile,” I said. Knor grinned and he tickled the back of my neck before undoing my bun. His fingers played in my curls.
“I hope the attack in space didn’t alarm you too much?” he asked. His gaze was concerned as he waited for my response.
“No, no I felt safe the entire time. You really…took command of the situation,” I said. Knor chuckled, then he leaned in to kiss my neck. I shivered, then he kissed my jaw before finally pressing his lips to mine. We made out like teenagers, all feverish lips and caressing tongues. Somehow, he stretched out on top of me and not long after, we rolled onto the floor. I laughed when Knor cursed.
“What’s with us and the floor?” I asked.
“I’m not sure,” he murmured. He kissed me softly, then sat up on his knees. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he undid my blouse and pulled it off. Soon my bra followed and he curled over me to kiss my nipples. He gently nibbled and sucked on my breasts while grazing his nails up and down my waist, sending tingles through me until I was squirming underneath him.
I started to undo his pants and he chuckled against my skin. “You’re impatient,” he murmured. “We have all night.”
“I know, but I…want you,” I said in a low voice. He moved back and stood up to undress completely. His gaze was steady and electric on mine. I kicked off my pants, but when I made to remove my panties, he stopped me. Knor knelt between my legs and hooked his fingers underneath the lace, pulling them off himself.
Knor rubbed my clit with his thumb and stroked his firm cock as he stared down at me. I was nearly panting, just watching him was enough to encase my entire body in heat. I closed my eyes as he slid two fingers into my slippery core.
“Watch me,” he said, his voice gruff. I opened my eyes and cried out when he found my g-spot with his fingers. My low moans and whimpers wrapped around us as I watched him strain with need as he pumped his fist, moisture beaded and overflowed from the tip of his cock. The orgasm hit me like a strong wave. He withdrew his fingers and replaced them with his sex.
I moaned with both relief and need. Knor had worked himself into a frenzy and so he wasn’t slow or gentle, neither of which I wanted at the moment anyway. We were all over the floor, it felt like I was consumed in a ball of heat until we were both spent.
I rested my head on Knor’s chest and slid off him. Somehow, we’d made it across the floor and into the doorway of the master bedroom. The couch was pushed back from the position it’d been in and the rug underneath it was pushed to the side and flipped up at the corner. Thankfully the coffee table was solid wood, it’d pushed up against the loveseat across from the couch.
“Knor you’re an animal,” I said, making him laugh aloud.
“The blame isn’t all mine,” he laughed. My stomach chose then to growl and Knor laughed again.
“Let’s try to put things back in order and call food up?” he asked.
“Sounds like a good plan, it depends on whether I can get up or not though,” I said.
Knor got up slowly and stretched, then he bent and picked me up, going towards the master bath. We showered, then cleaned up and had dinner together. Knor wanted to sleep over, but I didn’t want to be too distracted for the day coming.
***
I woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and a bit optimistic about my meeting with High Master Ayre and High General Waylen. I guessed a night of great sex will do that for a person’s outlook. Also, the high master would be a nice buffer for Waylen’s attitude assuming he wasn’t much changed from the person I met at the detention center. I got ready and had a quick breakfast sent up to the room before meeting Shae and the car downstairs.
“Good morning Representative, I trust you had a good night?” Shae asked.
“Oh Shae, you can call me Aliya, but my night was good thank you…I’m hoping today High General Waylen will be in a better mood,” I said. Shae smirked and shrugged one shoulder without thinking.
“For as long as I’ve known General Waylen and known of him, his ill-tempered attitude has always preceded him…as well as his performance as high general. He is unmatched in what he does,” she said.
“Must be why the Corsovians were so bold in trying to keep me from getting here,” I said. Shae pressed her lips together and didn’t comment. I didn’t know what to make of her reaction, so I glanced down at my notes for talking points. I already knew I’d spend more time talking to the high master than the high general.
The ride to The Garden Center wasn’t all that long. The building was very sleek and modern, outside it seemed to be made of reflective glass. It was in an odd geometric shape as well, and surrounded by a gorgeous floral garden.
Shae noticed me rubbernecking the place like a tourist. “The Garden Center was built precisely for intergalactic negotiations and events,” she said.
“It’s really cool,” I said. She led me inside, along with one of our guards. As soon as I cleared the security check, I was escorted back to the meeting room where the high master and high general would be waiting.
The room looked out at the gardens surrounding the building. There were a lot of wide views behind the small round conference table. High Master Ayre and High General Waylen were standing by the huge window at the back of the room, speaking in low voices.
“High Master Ayre, High General Waylen, here is Representative Horowitz of Earth,” the guard announced me to them, then made a deft exit. Ayre turned around and gave me a welcoming smile. He was a tall, lean man, his skin the same shade of purple as Knor’s and he had open features, a friendly face.
“Representative Horowitz, welcome,” he said. I waited for him to approach me and offer his hand to shake. An odd Bagarian custom, but an important one for showing respect.
“It’s an honor to meet you High Master Ayre,” I said.
“Likewise, your planet must think very highly of you to send you here with such an important task,” he said.
“It’s a humbling honor, yes. I hope to return it by fulfilling my duty here,” I said.
“Well, I am eager to tell you that the people of Bagar-1 want to see us aid the humans in any efforts against those Corsovian pirates. They’ve been looking for a planet still developing to invade and take over for their own. The Corsovian Mandate is what their philosophy is called. Fortunately, there’s always been someone to beat them down,” Ayre said.
“Fortunately, the planets t
hey’ve sought to bully have been able to hold their own and prevail,” Waylen said. I had to focus a good bit of energy on not rolling my eyes in Ayre’s presence. The high master actually gave me an apologetic smile for Waylen.
“Never mind that. Rest assured Representative, your trip here is not in vain. Bagar-1 will back Earth against the Corsovians,” he said. Ayre turned towards Waylen and leveled a resolute gaze. “That is in writing,” he added.
“On behalf of Earth, I can’t thank you enough High Master,” I said. He shook my hand again, his expression eager.
“It will be a great coalition. Something for the history books,” he said. “I’m afraid I can’t stay for the full duration of this meeting. There are some matters I must see to. But rest assured, High General Waylen will be cooperative in coalition talks,” he assured me. I thanked him and watched him go, though I didn’t want him to. I liked having a buffer who could keep Waylen leashed. As the door closed behind the high master, I felt like I was being shut into a tomb with the other one.
“Why don’t we get this going, the fewer sessions this will take the better for your people, no?” Waylen asked.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” I said. I sat down across from him at the table. He slid across a thick binder, kind of old school, but I opened it up. “This is a list of all the forces you command in space?” I asked.
“Indeed. It’s ninety percent accurate of course. I can’t hand over all our secrets,” he said.
“So how many fighters are you willing to send to help with our defense?” I asked.
“Thirty percent,” he said. I flipped to the count of fighter craft and glanced at the numbers.
“Can we make a detailed allotment?” I asked. Waylen reluctantly grabbed his tablet from the seat next to him.
“This seems so painful for you,” I mumbled. Only after he leveled a disbelieving gaze on me did I realize I spoke aloud.
“Painful, no. Bothersome, more like,” he answered. I bit my cheek to keep from saying anything else.
“So…thirty percent of your galactic forces, may not be enough—”
“That’s more than enough. Don’t you earthlings have any planetary defenses built up yet?” he asked.
“We have ground forces, until our military base on Mars can be finished. The environmental toll of mass producing spacecraft on Earth would wipe us out,” I said. Waylen scoffed.
“I’ve said it before. You humans ventured out into space too soon,” he said. I stared at him, wide eyed.
“How do you get away with this attitude?” I asked.
“For the very same reason you’re here now asking for my aid,” he said. I shut the binder and stood up to take it with me.
“High General Waylen, you can speak like that to whomever else will allow it. But I won’t. We won’t be speaking again until you improve your mood. Or perhaps you’d rather public exile for breaking the Mandate of your High Master,” I said. Waylen sat back in his chair and watched me in disbelief, his eyes were like fire though. I couldn’t tell if he was really pissed…or aroused. He didn’t say a word though as I left.
***
“It’s like…I don’t know what goes on in his head. Why does he think he can get away acting like that?” I finished my rant, complaining about Waylen. Knor laughed and wiped his mouth with his napkin. We were having dinner at one of the hotel’s restaurants.
“He’s my cousin, did you know?” he asked. My jaw dropped.
“You had to grow up with a relative like that?” I asked, making him laugh again.
“Two, he’s just like his father,” Knor chuckled. “I think what you did was wise. His mother never put up with his attitude, she was the only one to get him to be remotely respectful,” Knor said. I snorted.
“Yeah well, my entire day was wasted. I got nowhere,” I said.
“You have a sworn mandate that Bagar-1 will aid Earth,” he reminded me.
“I suppose you’re right…” I sighed. Knor smiled and reached across the table to lace his fingers with mine.
“You can get through it, you’re strong,” he said. I bit my lip and studied his expression. Something was definitely happening between us. More than great sex…and it wasn’t freaking me out. I liked Knor—I really liked him.
I gestured to his plate. “Are you done?” I asked.
“Yes, dessert?” he asked.
“It can be delivered upstairs,” I said. Knor chuckled and stood with me to head back. He walked close behind me to the elevator, the doors closed us alone inside and he was quick to press me against the wall, his lips at my neck. I giggled and reached around him to insert my room key, the elevator started to move. I kissed him and he nipped my bottom lip before sliding his tongue against mine. He tasted like white wine.
I pulled away from him just as the elevator doors opened on my floor. Knor was playful as ever while we walked to my suite.
“Am I interrupting?” that deep voice brought my head around so fast. I was stunned.
“Waylen…” Knor said. His tone was joking.
“Cousin…” Waylen answered. His tone was almost sinister. “I need to speak with Representative Horowitz on an important matter, if you don’t mind,” he said. Knor glanced at me and I gave him a slight nod.
“Another time then Aliya, I’m always available,” Knor said. He kissed my cheek then saluted his cousin before striding down the hall.
“What is so important High General?” I asked.
“Will we be talking out in the hall?” he asked. I took a deep breath, then opened the way to let him in. He paced to the couch and then went to stand in front of the view.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Are you and my cousin a pair?” he asked. I blinked rapidly and glanced up, wondering what version of Waylen had showed up at my door.
“That’s hardly any of your business,” I said.
“He’s my cousin,” Waylen said.
“We’re seeing each other,” I snapped.
“How professional can that be Representative?” he shot back.
“My personal life has nothing to do with my professional one. I’m certainly not having an affair with you am I?”
Waylen snorted and began stalking towards me. The fire in his gaze had me rooted in place. Attraction struck between us and I had to focus on keeping my breathing level.
“I came here to…apologize for how I’ve treated you since your arrival,” he said slowly, as if every word almost pained him. I was shocked all over again, he was apologizing to me? “No one has ever checked my attitude before,” he added reluctantly.
“Well…I’m not just anyone,” I said. We were a foot apart and he was staring at me as if I were some foreign, untested substance.
“Tomorrow I will be more than cooperative in working out the details of our military aid,” he said. His voice was softer and his eyes kept roaming my face and body. Knor and I had just come from a nice dinner. I was wearing a little black dress that ended at the knee and had a deep V neckline.
“I hope so Waylen…thank you for apologizing,” I said. He nodded once, then took an awkward step towards me, closing the distance between us. His lips crashed down over mine and I was instantly swept up. He was so warm and his lips were soft and insistent. After a second of shock, I kissed him back. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I hooked my arms around his neck. I felt his erection press against my stomach and my sex throbbed with want as a result.
Abruptly, Waylen set me down on my feet, breaking the kiss. He stepped away and took a deep breath.
“You feel it too then,” he murmured. I didn’t even have time to form a word before he was stalking towards the door and left. It took me a minute before I ran to the door. When I opened it I was surprised to find Shae standing on the other side.
“Shae…what are you doing here?” I asked.
“Well I had something urgent I needed to share with you…but perhaps the High General beat me to it?” she said.
“No, I don’t think so. What’s it about?” I let her in and took a few deep breaths to try and center myself.
“You look shaken up Representative, can I get you a water?” she asked.
“Ah…um, yeah, actually that’d be great, thanks,” I said. My feet carried me to the couch and I plopped down. Shae came back with a bottle from the fridge and only then, did I notice she was wearing something almost like workout clothes. It was a full bodysuit and she had some sort of strapping across her chest that looked like it was supposed to hold weapons. None were on her.
“Shae…where are you coming from? Was there a fight somewhere?” I asked. Shae smiled, slow, and withdrew a hunting knife from behind her back.
“I just came back from receiving orders to kill you Representative. Unfortunately, Corsov cannot afford Earth gaining military aid from Bagar-1.”
End of Book 1
Book 2: Chosen Love
Of all the cunning ways to get myself out of immediate danger, my brilliant response was, “What?” Followed by simply staring at Shae, the assassin, in dismay. I was afraid this was it for me.
“Don’t worry, your shock will mean nothing when connected with the afterlife,” she said. Shae took one step towards me and my fight or flight kicked in with an injection of pure adrenaline.
“Wait, wait. Don’t Corsovian’s believe in last words?” I asked. Shae hesitated. It was clear that she had some sense of honor.
“I will recite the Corsovian honorable death verse,” she said. Her eyes were like laser pointers on me, I wasn’t sure if catching her by surprise would work, but I had to try something. She opened her mouth and uttered a few Corsovian syllables. I took the chance and rammed her with my shoulder, she was surprised and stumbled back into the wall. I quickly wrenched open the door and screamed for help into the hall. There was always a guard on duty. Shae snatched me by the hair and yanked me back inside. Her knife felt cold pressed against my skin. I closed my eyes and thought of home. Of all things, an image of the Potomac River, just outside the Thomas Jefferson Memorial flashed in my mind. It was often a place I visited to find some peace, no matter how many tourists milled around. The blue water reflecting a clear blue sky. Across the water were summer green trees, and rising out of the foliage the pencil-like Washington Monument.