by Terri Lane
“Good call, how was your night?” I asked.
“Pale…I found myself wishing I came up with an excuse for you to invite me into your suite last night,” he said frankly. I didn’t know how to respond to that, so all that came out was an uncertain breathy laugh. Waylen smirked, his eyes mischievous as he gazed at me across the table. “How was your night? Or should I not ask?”
“Well, I’d had enough wine at dinner that I fell asleep early. So, it was uneventful,” I told him. His pleased grin widened. Our waiter came around to explain how they did breakfast. Essentially, they’d roll out a cart that we could make our own plates from—buffet style. It was clear that Waylen also picked that restaurant for the amount of privacy we’d have. After we picked out what would be on the breakfast cart, the server left us alone.
“Have you heard anything about the agreement yet?” I asked.
“I checked earlier and they’ve told me that no changes need to be made. It’s in the process of being transcribed onto an official document to be signed,” he said.
“That should be done soon then.”
“By tomorrow morning it will be ready to sign,” he said.
“Alright then…so should we get down to it?” I asked.
“To, ‘it’?” He looked at me with a curious expression. I knew he was hoping I’d clarify ‘it’ to be the kiss I still wasn’t ready to talk about.
“Yeah, the logistics of your military entering Earth’s solar system,” I said. “I have charts of where our outposts are and details on how many soldiers are occupying them. We can just divvy up where your troops and pilots land for when we get to that point.”
Waylen leaned back in his chair and gave me a cute little smirk. His eyes said he was content to wear me down eventually, but also that he was growing impatient with my avoiding the elephant in the room. He took a deep breath and reached for his glass of water. “Of course, after all that is why we’re here now,” he said.
Our breakfast cart finally arrived and I got up to make my plate. Waylen stepped up behind me and I could feel his body heat against my side. It felt as if he were purposefully reaching around me to put food on his own plate. His arm brushed mine every time he picked up a serving utensil. Delicate shivers kept trailing across my skin, raising goosebumps. I took a deep breath and went back to the table after filling my plate.
Waylen joined me at the table, but set his plate to the side. “Let’s handle the business first then,” he said. I pushed my plate to the side as well and got out my tablet, bringing up the chart of Earth’s solar system. On it, were our space outposts, kept to large enough asteroids, and several major bases situated on moons throughout the system. Also, the growing colony on Mars was largely still military run and would house any aid incoming from our allies.
“So there are twenty-five sites in all. This is…doable,” he said. He quickly made a list of all the possible stationing sites, including Earth, for his soldiers. I watched as he divided up his forces, most would be stationing all over Earth, of course. Then he peppered the rest throughout the system. Once he was done, he handed me the tablet and his notes.
“I’m sure you can use your time today to make the appropriate calls in order to prepare for our arrival,” he said.
“Just to be clear…you are coming to Earth, right?” I asked.
“Of course, who else will lead my men?” His tone was reminiscent of old Waylen, the one with the attitude.
“I was just double checking,” I said slowly. He inclined his head in acknowledgement then reached for his plate to start eating. We sat quietly for a while, I was going through a mental checklist of what had to be done before I left Bagar-1. Nations United would certainly be relieved to finally hear from me. I’d requested not to be besieged with calls for updates and other communications so that I could get the job done. It was weird to think about going home already, I’d been in a sort of limbo while on Bagar-1. Earth would certainly bring a heaping of reality back for me.
“What are you thinking so diligently about?” he asked.
“Just…things that I have to do before going back home,” I said.
“The time draws near. Soon your people will be saved thanks to you.” Waylen looked at me with respect, then he extended his hand across the table and stood halfway. “Come, you look about finished,” he said. I took his hand and let him pull me up from my seat.
“Where are we going now?”
“You have business to finish up, I’m simply keeping you company,” he said.
“Keeping me company or keeping me from Knor?” I asked. Waylen sighed and I laughed at him. “That’s what it seems like to me,” I added.
“Of course that is what it seems like, it’s what it is,” he said. I glanced at him over my shoulder, confused.
“So, you’re admitting it then?” I asked. Waylen simply shrugged a shoulder. When we reached the front, I realized we were holding hands. I eased mine out of his grasp before heading towards Legrand and the waiting car. Waylen got in behind me.
“Where are we headed Representative?” Legrand asked.
“You know you can call me Aliya, Legrand,” I told him. “We can go back to the hotel.” Legrand inclined his head, then pulled away from the restaurant.
“Hey, I assume you paid before we ate, right?” I asked Waylen. He glanced at me and started to laugh.
“Of course, did you think the High General of Bagar-1 hurries out on a bill?” he asked, still chuckling. I wanted to stick my tongue out at him, but gave him a dry look instead.
“I was just checking,” I said.
“I won’t fault you for that,” he said. When we got back to the Prestige, Waylen followed me like a loyal guard dog. His eyes were alert as we made our way to the garage’s elevator. When it let out onto my floor he walked silently behind me until we were in the suite.
“Why are you being so quiet?” I asked. He shrugged and watched me take out my tablet and set it down next to my computer on the coffee table. I took off my blazer and sat cross legged on the floor in front of the table to make a bulleted list of where Waylen intended to spread his troops out in our solar system
“Why don’t you have a seat?” I told him. He was making a slow perusal of the place, sticking his head into the master bedroom, looking at the view outside.
“I don’t want to distract you,” he said.
“Too late, just come sit in one place.” I patted the floor next to me and he sat down, stretching his long legs underneath the mahogany table.
“After you send this document, what will you do?” he asked. I smirked, he was like a bored ten-year-old.
“Most likely I’ll be taking a conference call with some other representatives from the Nations United council,” I said.
“Well then, it is good that I’m here,” he said confidently. I couldn’t deny it; the council would be reassured to have him present on the call. As soon I e-mailed the council and Earth’s space defense coordinators, I got a request for a conference call. I pulled on my blazer, then got up to set the computer up on the small dining table in between the kitchen and living room. Waylen sat with me just as I connected the call. I was a bit surprised to find all forty-nine representatives present calling from one conference room so quickly.
“Miss Horowitz, we’re relieved to hear from you so soon,” said Rep. Carlson. She was seated nearest the camera and I could see the bags under her pale blue eyes. Carlson was in her mid-fifties and usually had an ageless charm with her thick mahogany hair and china doll features. She looked older than usual with the stress pressing down on her. Glancing around, I found most of the representatives to be haggard looking.
“I’m relieved to have good news so soon. How are things on Earth?” I asked.
“They could be better. The public…is in disarray to say the least. We need to give them concrete reassurances. So, anything you tell us here will be of great help,” Carlson said.
“Is this High General Waylen?” asked Rep. Acha
rya, he sat across from Carlson.
“I am. Representative Horowitz and I have drafted an agreement for military aid that will more than help with any Corsovian invasion. The numbers have been sent to you, I believe,” he said.
“Yes, we’ve just received them and cannot thank you enough High General for all your cooperation. When will the agreement be officially signed by you both and the High Master?” Carlson asked.
“Very soon. Have the Corsovian’s sent any messages, or made any further contact?” I asked. I didn’t want to give them a specific timeframe if there were any spies listening in.
“They have. It was just yesterday that they sent a message. They destroyed one of our farthest research stations, just outside the solar system. It’s as if they’re testing us,” Acharya said. “We aren’t sure what’s stopping them from barging into the system outright.” A feeling of urgency crept up my spine and I straightened in my chair. Beneath the view of the camera, Waylen placed his hand on my knee and squeezed it in reassurance.
“I will send a fleet of our fastest ships ahead of our arrival. They will assist in patrols around your system’s perimeter in case any further harassment comes from the Corsovians,” he said. There was a collective breath of relief from the council.
“Are you capable of doing that before the agreement has even been signed?” Carlson asked.
“Yes, I have discretionary use over a percentage of our fleet without conferring with the High Master first,” he said.
“Wonderful, thank you again High General. Aliya, we look forward to your return here. The entire planet will be safe thanks to what you’ve managed to do,” Carlson said. Cozy warmth spread through my chest at her compliment and the sounds of agreement coming from the rest of the council.
“It’s my duty,” I said humbly. “Now, I have to contact the SMG’s to coordinate with them.”
“Of course, do expect an encrypted message from us shortly as for the express details of the agreement’s signature and your departure from Bagar-1,” Carlson said. After some more finishing remarks, they ended the call. Waylen and I spoke to Earth’s space military generals to coordinate accommodating the incoming Bagarian forces. After the call, I received the encrypted message from the Nations United council and sent back the information they needed. We finished with work by the time the sun set. Waylen was reclining in the chair next to me, his legs stretched out and his hands folded loosely behind his head.
“Are you sun bathing under the fluorescent lights?” I asked. He smirked, then swung his eyes over to me.
“So, what if I am?” he said. I paused, and glanced at his purple tinted skin, I wondered if he could tan under regular lights. Waylen laughed at me then and I hit his arm lightly. “Are you hungry?” he asked. He reached for my hair and curled a lock between his fingers.
“Not yet, you?”
He shook his head.
“I want to talk about the kiss now,” he said. His tone was firm, though his gaze and posture were relaxed. I knew there was no getting around it anymore.
“Okay…” I said and took a deep breath. His eyes scanned my face and paused on my lips. My breath caught and he shifted before I could really track his movements. He cupped my neck and pressed his lips to mine. Heat bolted through me, settling between my legs. Waylen nipped at my bottom lip, then his tongue slid over mine. I put my hand over his and then pulled back slightly.
“I thought we were talking,” I said. He hummed low in his chest, then scooped me up from the chair and walked over to the couch.
“I told you that I want you. Aliya I admire you for your mind and abilities, you command respect and you’re beautiful…” he said. Waylen sat down with me across his lap. He ran his hand through my hair as I took a deep breath. I didn’t know what to say to that really. I knew I was attracted to him. He was held together and had a dominant attitude that I was inexplicably drawn to. “Tell me something…at the very least why you let me kiss you that night,” he said.
“I’m attracted to you Waylen. Since I first met you…well before you spoke anyway,” I said, making him laugh. “Then I wanted to knock you down a few pegs.”
“You did,” he said. “Which is why you became irresistible to me,” he said. He kissed my neck and slid his hands up along my waist, already leaning me back and moving over me. I slid a hand under his shirt and felt his taut abdomen and chest. Deftly, I undid the buttons and he pulled off the shirt before laying over me again. I felt his erection against my thigh and opened my legs to accommodate his hips. We made out for a while, tasting each other, and he sucked on the skin just below my collar, giving me a hickey.
“Our skin does not mark as easily as yours,” he said. His voice was gruff, but his eyes were bright, excited. He sat back on his heels and unbuttoned my shirt before he pushed it off, along with my blazer. Waylen paused when he got to my bra, it was simple and unhooked in the front.
“What?” I said, trying not to laugh at him.
“I’m admiring you,” he said. Waylen bent to kiss both my breasts, he then proceeded to unhook my bra with his teeth. Sensual tingles resonated through my entire body then.
“You were planning the best way to do that, huh?” I said, breathless. He hummed against my skin and sucked one nipple into his mouth. I moaned and ran my hands up along his arms. Waylen undid my pants and I shimmied out of them, sitting up as I did. He pulled them off and cleared the couch of pillows and clothes. He was still wearing his pants, and I saw the bulge of his erection.
“Why are you still wearing pants?” I asked.
“Why are you so impatient?” he replied. He sat back on the couch and pulled me over to straddle his hips. His hand slid between my legs as I pushed my fingers into his hair and pulled his head back. I kissed him while he rubbed my clit and slid his fingers against my already wet folds. My breathing was fast, I was growing impatient. I buried my face against his shoulder and nipped at his skin.
“Waylen…” I groaned. He slid one finger into my core and my muscles tightened around him. Waylen growled and quickly removed his finger, finally freeing his cock from his pants. I gripped the thick length in my hand and guided him to my entrance. Waylen held my waist tight as I sank down slowly and took more of him into me. He held my waist tight and tilted his head to suck my nipple into his mouth. I rode him slowly at first, to get acclimated to his size. Once I got used to him inside I moved with more urgency, grinding my hips and rocking back and forth.
Waylen’s groans and breathy curses filled my ears, his warmth wrapped around me like a misty scarf, and I couldn’t get enough of him. As if I weighed nothing, he secured his arm around my back and stood up to kick his pants away and change our position. He laid me on the couch and took over, pounding into me until my body shook with orgasm. Then he kept on still, linking climax after climax until he cried out and emptied his own release into me.
I was nothing but limp limbs after that. Waylen’s head rested in the crook of my neck, he was still catching his breath.
“This will be a problem,” he mumbled.
“Why?” I asked.
“I’ll want to kill him.”
***
I woke up the following morning wrapped in nothing but Waylen and sore too. We did a lot of ‘exercise’ the night before. I stretched, waking him up for a second, his arm tightened around my waist and he kissed my shoulder before his body relaxed again. The sun had barely risen, but already my mind was in overdrive thinking about the agreement being signed and getting back to Earth where a galactic conflict with Corsov was imminent.
“I can feel you thinking,” Waylen murmured.
“Today already feels like a long day,” I said.
“The sun has hardly risen,” he said.
“I know…but—” Waylen covered my mouth with his to shut me up. He kissed me deeply, his fingers trailed up my side sending tingles through me. I was distracted by him, his lips and tongue, for close to an hour. Afterwards we showered and got dressed, I called f
or breakfast to be brought up. As I waited for the room service, I paced in front of the window, going through my e-mail. I’d been sent a notice about the official agreement signing which would take place at midday. Knor called me and I stared at the phone for two rings before answering.
“Hey,” I said, while quickly glancing at the room for Waylen. He was in the bathroom still.
“I’m beginning to think you’re pulling away from me. I get no call, no text. Has my cousin held you hostage?” he asked.
“No, I’ve just had a busy couple of days. The aid agreement will be signed today, then I’ll be heading back to Earth,” I said.
“Yes, I was hoping to speak to you about that…I will command your transport once again,” he said.
“Really?” a brief thrill of excitement ran through me.
“Yes, and…I’ve taken a contract assignment to serve in the efforts against Corsov on Earth,” he said. “I’ll be part of the force assigned to the Jersey-York base,” he said. My eyes widened and my jaw fell slack.
“What?” I said, shocked.
“I did this to be close to you,” he said.
“I didn’t know you felt so strongly about us to move,” I said. I was starting to sweat thinking about both Waylen and Knor being present on Earth.
“Of course, Aliya I’ve never focused all my attention and spared my free time for one woman before,” he said. “I wish we were speaking in person…when can I see you, so we can talk more?”
“Tonight, over dinner,” I said.
“I will come to your suite at eight?” he asked.
“Okay…yeah, I’ll see you then,” I said. We ended the call and I took a deep breath. “Shit, shit, shit…” I mumbled.
“Is everything all right?” Waylen asked. He stepped out of the room slowly, his eyes on me, curious.