by Shae Mills
So many unanswered questions, questions she had never thought to ask when she had the opportunity. But then, Fremma had not wanted her to be concerned with the logistics of the mission anyway. He’d assured her she was safe, and that was all that mattered.
She squinted against the sunlight and picked a rooftop far away, her imagination taking flight. As in her childhood, when she lay on her back and stared at the stars, pretending she was looking at another being gazing back at her, she wondered if there was a Iceanean warrior there, peering back at her. She smiled. They were out there, somewhere, and suddenly, despite her earlier fright, she felt totally at ease, her heart temporarily back with the Empire and her beloved men.
*****
It was now Friday afternoon, and Chelan was startled by Jim’s early arrival home.
“Hey there,” he greeted.
Chelan put her book down and smiled. “Hi! You’re home early, and looking rather proud of yourself.”
Jim grinned at her as he hung up his coat. “Actually, I’m not proud of myself. I’ve been away from you far too much. But I’m going to make it up to you tonight.” Jim skipped down the stairs and waved a pair of tickets in front of her. He beamed. “Dinner first, and then the symphony.”
Chelan was enthralled. “I’ve never been to one,” she admitted.
He began stripping off his tie. “I have to shower and make some calls. You go get dressed.”
Chelan looked at the tickets and then to him. “I don’t know what to wear.”
Jim smiled. “Something elegant,” he said, and started for his room. Then he stopped. “No, wait. I have the perfect thing.” And he trotted off.
Chelan waited patiently and then watched pie-eyed as he returned with a neatly wrapped box. He tore into it and from its depths he pulled a shimmering royal blue dress. He held it up. “Well, what do you think?”
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
Jim smiled. “Great! I ordered it last week just in case we had an event to attend. I know it will fit.” He passed it to her. “Why don’t you go put it on? We should get going and have an early dinner.”
Chelan watched him disappear, and then, slowly, she walked to her room. She held the beautiful silk garment up against herself, and she smiled. It had long thin straps and a low-cut rounded neckline. She stepped out of her jeans and shirt and shimmied into the dress. It hugged her curves tight and hit her mid-thigh, small slits in the sides allowing it to hang beautifully from her curvaceous hips.
She stepped up to the mirror, and then bit her lip to still the tears that threatened. It was almost exactly like the beautiful white gown Dar had given her so many years ago. Except for the length and the color, it was identical.
Chelan clenched her hands and looked up at the ceiling, her slender body suddenly beset by tremors. “Oh, god, Dar, why did you leave me?” And her heart twisted.
Taking small tentative steps backward, she sat down gently upon her bed. She rocked herself as all the memories of the blonde-haired Warlord that she had kept so carefully suppressed, washed over her. Her breathing came in irregular sobs as she thought of all the special times they had shared, his gentleness, his care, and his love.
She had not seen him since the night the Empire fell, and soft tears ran down her cheeks in rivulets. She had always wanted to ask Fremma or Korba why Dar had not returned. But deep down she knew the answer. He had loved her so deeply and so hard that he was unable to share her with anyone, especially Korba. In an act of self-preservation, he had left Iceanea indefinitely. He had not even returned RIBUS 8 for her scheduled refit last year. He simply took back-to-back missions, unwilling to surrender to his feelings. If he returned, he knew he would challenge Korba and the Let, an act that would destroy them all.
Chelan hugged herself tightly, still rocking gently. She had loved Dar so dearly, and in ways she could never pinpoint. Even in the presence of Korba and Fremma, with just a simple look, the massive blonde man could make her heart flutter. He had given up everything for her—his women, the Guild, and his home—choosing war rather than love simply because she belonged to Korba instead of him.
Chelan sniffed at her tears. Fremma had adjusted, coexisting with Korba and loving her when he could. But Dar could not live that way. He changed his crew in space, refusing even the slightest connection with his home planet lest he run into her. Chelan clutched at her stomach. And then her eyes widened.
She stilled her sobs as new revelations shook her to the core. In the past, she had always been immersed in Korba’s and Fremma’s love, their physical presence muting her pain over Dar’s loss. But now that she was isolated on Earth, her true feelings for the blonde Warlord wove tendrils about her, squeezing her until she could barely breathe.
Chelan jumped to her feet and clenched her hands to her breast. How was she going to endure the coming months? She wanted to get back to the Empire now. She needed to find Dar and… And what? Force a confrontation?
She sat back down and rubbed her palms over her hot cheeks. She tried to wring him from her mind, replacing him with the image of her beautiful mate, but her head ached almost as much as her heart. Rekindling anything with Dar was a futile endeavor, and deep down she knew it. No mater how indelibly etched the man was within her soul, she knew Dar would never come back to her. He was lost for all eternity.
Chelan shut her eyes and tried to stop her rocking. Then her heart stopped. She could hear Jim’s footsteps. She scrambled to her feet and wiped away her tears, her motions frantic. He knocked on the door.
“Chelan?”
Chelan turned her back on the door and faced the mirror. “Come in,” she whispered.
Jim opened the door cautiously and then stepped in. “Oh, man,” he uttered, nearly wilting at the sight of her.
Chelan pasted a smile on her lips and then turned to face him.
“Oh, Chelan! Dare I take you out in that?”
Chelan blushed and cast her gaze to the floor.
Jim’s eyes travelled up her long legs, but then his light mood dissipated, the sight of her red eyes tugging at him. He stepped up to her. “What’s wrong?” he whispered.
Chelan smiled. “Nothing, Jim. I’m just overwhelmed.”
“Good. For a moment I thought I did something wrong. It’s okay, Chelan. It’s the least I can do for you.”
Chelan’s eyes glinted. “You overdo everything, and you spend too much.”
Jim shook his head. “I think not.” Then his expression became serious. He tensed as he stared down at her soft lips, but he thought better of it. He smiled. “Wait here—I have some matching shoes.” And he disappeared.
Chelan turned back to the mirror and stood up tall. Suddenly she was glad to be going out. She needed the diversion and the deliverance from all her internal turmoil.
In a moment, Jim returned and presented her with a pair of blue silk shoes. Chelan grinned as she took them from him. “I hope I can stand up in these.”
Jim laughed. “You can use me for support. I won’t mind.”
Chelan reached for him and steadied herself as she slipped into the shoes. Then Jim stepped back and looked over her now six foot frame. “Wow,” was his only word.
Chelan peered down at herself and then to him. Finally, excitement hit her. “Let’s go!”
Jim made some final adjustments to his suit and then offered her his arm. Once out in the foyer, he stopped and turned her to him. “Stay put,” he ordered, and then he disappeared into his room. Reappearing, he presented her with a three-quarter-length fur coat.
Chelan gasped. “Oh no!”
“Oh yes. Otherwise, you’ll freeze.”
Chelan shook her head. “You take that back.” And she took a step away from him.
“Not on your life. Come here.” And he lunged at her, catching her by her wrist. She tried to pull away, but in her high heels, she was no match for him.
“Jim, you have to stop!”
“Yes. Well, if you die on me, then I’ll s
top.”
Chelan ceased her struggles and Jim tucked her into the coat. He pulled it tight about her and then drew out her silken hair. He stepped back, but he did not smile.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Jim crossed his arms and studied her, almost with a frown. “Hmmm. Diamonds,” he mumbled.
Chelan rolled her eyes and grabbed him by the hand. “No,” she stated firmly as she wrenched him toward the door. “You keep this up and I will move out. Food is all I require.”
Jim grinned as he allowed her to yank him out into the hall. “You’re right. They can wait until tomorrow.”
*****
The evening was splendid, and Chelan was captivated by all the sights and sounds. As afternoon turned into late evening, she and Jim returned home. Once in the door, Chelan kicked off her high heels. “Oh, my aching feet,” she groaned.
Jim took her coat from her and watched with amusement as she limped over to the couch. He hung the fur up and then headed for the bar. He smiled at her as he released the champagne cork. “I can tell that over the past decade or so, you never did anything that required you to dress up.”
Chelan looked up at him slyly as she rubbed at her crippled toes. “You’ve got that right, more or less.”
Jim sat down beside her and handed her a glass. “Here’s to this evening. May there be many more,” he said, and raised his glass.
Chelan raised hers then took a sip. Jim bolted down the whole glass and shook his head. “Ahh, that was good.”
Chelan frowned at him. “Thirsty, are we?”
Jim nodded. “Yeah, actually, I am.” He stood and poured himself another. Then he returned to her and resumed his seat next to her. He put his glass on the table. “Now for you.” And he reached down and grabbed her feet.
“What are you doing?” she exclaimed.
“Rubbing some blood back into your delicate little feet.”
Chelan took a moment to quell her jitters. She looked at him hard. “It’s okay, really. I just need to put them up.”
He smirked at her. “Consider it a conciliatory move made in appreciation for having put up with my choice in footwear.”
Chelan finally acquiesced and lay back against the arm of the couch, his smooth massage calming her. He stopped for a moment and took another drink. She watched as he loosened the collar of his shirt and then returned his attention to his task. Chelan closed her eyes and time began to drift.
Jim watched her, her soft breasts rising and falling seductively through the fine blue material. He looked to the hem of the dress, her long silky legs disappearing into the darkness beneath. He swallowed down the rest of his drink; his loins ached. He wondered if she was wearing anything under the dress, and suddenly his breathing took off. It would be so easy to slide his hand up and under the fabric, just to find out.
Chelan was feeling the effects of the long day and the drink. His fingers pressed into her hard, and she moaned with satisfaction. But at her small utterance, Jim lost it. His hands began up her legs.
Chelan shot up, spilling her drink. Jim caught her in his arms and pressed her back down. He stretched out over her, but she pushed against his shoulders. “No,” she ordered.
Jim kissed her neck. “Oh, come on, Chelan,” he breathed. “Just relax.”
Chelan pushed with all her might, but Jim let his weight bear down on her, crushing her. “No!” she yelled. “Get off me!”
But he ignored her. He stuck his knee between her legs, forcing them apart. Then he reached for her dress and raised it above her hips. Settling back down on her, he ground his pelvis against hers.
Chelan could feel his swollen lust. “Get the hell away!” she demanded.
Jim held her head firmly and kissed her forcefully, his tongue piercing her. Then he came up for air. “Oh, come on, Chel. We’ve been together so much these last couple of months. I know you feel something for me. Don’t play games.”
Chelan gasped. “I’ve not led you on. So knock it off! We’ve been down this road before.”
Jim continued to rub himself against her. He smiled. “If you’d just relax,” he said, and his hand reached for her panties.
Chelan gritted her teeth and shoved her palms into his throat, pushing with all her strength, effectively crushing the wind from him. Jim shot up, struggling for air. Chelan scrambled out from under him. She bolted to her feet and made it to the foyer, but Jim caught her quickly, grabbing her by the wrist.
“Jesus, Chelan, you owe me just a little bit after all I’ve done for you.”
“You have got to be kidding me!” she shouted. “We’ve discussed this. I owe you nothing. And I certainly don’t owe you with my body!”
Jim shoved her up against the wall and almost knocked the wind from her. He held her hands above her head and grabbed her breast, his grip causing her to cry out in pain. “After all I’ve done for you,” he seethed, “the least you can do is put out just this once.”
He crushed her to stillness against the wall and pressed into her lips so hard with his mouth that she felt like she was suffocating. His hardness was bruising her slender hips, but she could no longer move.
Suddenly there was a loud knock at the door, and Jim’s head snapped around, his eyes wild. Chelan looked to the door frantically, but Jim placed his hand firmly over her mouth, his body still immobilizing her. “Not a word,” he growled from under his breath. Then he shouted at the door, “Who is it?”
“It’s Jason, Jim. I’m sorry to disturb you so late.”
Jim glared at Chelan. “You keep quiet,” he ordered.
Chelan nodded once, and he released her. She instantly sprinted to her room, where she slammed the door shut and locked it.
Jim straightened his shirt and caught his breath. He stared down the hall after her for a moment while he smoothed his hands through his hair. Settling himself, he moved to the front entrance, opened the door, and smiled at Jason. “Come on in, good buddy.”
Jason stepped in. “I must apologize once again, but I didn’t manage to get this material to you today. And when I came by your office you had already gone.”
Jim reached for the stack of documents. “Oh, yes—the material on the DSP 5600.” He rubbed at his brow. “I’d forgotten. God, thanks for reminding me.”
Jason nodded. “I know you need it for Monday, and I leave early in the morning for Dallas.”
Jim shook his head. “I just can’t believe that I almost forgot this stuff.” He stepped down into the living room and set the manuals on a table. “Care for a drink?”
Jason smiled. “No thanks, Jim. I’ve got to catch some shut-eye.”
Jim smiled. “Well, we’ll get together when you’re back.”
Jason nodded and then glanced over Jim’s outfit. “Been out on the town, hey?”
Jim chuckled. “Yeah. Took Chelan to the symphony. She’s never been before.”
“She enjoy it?”
“Sure did. We’ll do it again soon.”
Jason nodded, and then he looked past Jim to the discarded shoes and the spilled glass.
Jim looked behind himself and tensed.
Jason’s smile waned a bit as he glanced toward the spare room. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything,” he offered sheepishly.
“Oh, no. Nothing at all, my good man. Chelan was tired and went to bed early.”
Jason nodded. “Well, I’ve got to get going. Good luck next week.”
Jim hustled up the stairs and opened the door. “I’ll give you a call when I’m back.”
Jason stepped out into the hall. “Great. Talk to you soon.”
Jim shut the door. He straightened himself, the effects of the champagne dwindling. He looked toward Chelan’s room and rubbed his fist over his lips. “Ahh, to hell with you,” he muttered, and he trudged off to bed.
Chapter 19
Chelan awoke early the next morning and winced. Her hips were bruised, and her breast ached. She sat up and brushed her tangled hair from her face. Sh
e rose out of bed and shuffled over to the mirror. Her fingers traced the discolored patches that mottled her normally flawless flesh. It was then she made her decision.
She scrambled about the room and gathered all the things Fremma had given her. She was careful not to pack a single item that Jim had procured. She pulled on her jeans and a shirt and did up her runners. Then she slipped into her coat.
She placed Jim’s keys on the nightstand and tiptoed to her door. She listened but heard nothing. She opened the door as silently as possible, and then peered down the hall. Jim’s door was shut.
She padded quietly out to the foyer. She reached for the door. “Chelan!” Jim shouted.
Chelan’s heart leapt into her throat. She wrenched the door open, but Jim bounded across the living room and slammed it tight.
She gripped the doorknob hard. “Let me go!” she insisted.
“Listen to me! I’m sorry. I was rude.”
Chelan looked at him incredulously. “Rude?” She yanked on the door, but Jim held it securely. She glared up at him. “You tried to take me,” she seethed.
His brows furrowed. “No, I didn’t, not like that. I was trying to persuade you to make love to me.”
“That’s what you call love?”
“Look, I said I’m sorry. And I am. Sometimes when I drink I get pushy. I won’t touch you again. I don’t know what your problem is, but I guess I’ll just have to wait.”
“My problem?” she gasped. “Has anything changed over the last ten years? I have not a given you so much as an inkling that I am interested in a physical relationship. And I certainly didn’t ask to be brutalized.”
“Brutalized? Oh, come on! You’re blowing this all out of proportion. Look, years ago we went through all of this, and I understood. You were young and inexperienced. But Chelan, you can’t tell me now that you’re still a virgin. That’s impossible. So loosen up.”