by Maia Starr
Then I read her background and saw that she enjoyed the natural environment of what the humans called hiking. She also enjoyed preparing food, which meant she knew greatly about how things grew, plant life. These were the things that I could respect. These were the things that I found attractive. Many brides that I had read before her were something that the Earthlings called models, which simply meant they stood while being photographed. Yes these women were of great beauty, but what would they have to offer a marriage?
I sought an equal, someone that could contribute to the marriage. If I wanted a beauty that did nothing but birth offspring, I would simply pick a Drackon female. It was not what I wanted. So I sent for her, this Kelly Perkins. She would be arriving in a week’s time. I set her photo down on the table as I prepared to walk out of the cabin and leave to the engineering project, the massive air filters. There was a knock at my door.
"What are you doing here, brother?" I asked as I saw my brother Orik standing on the other side of the door. He did not wait for me to invite him in; he simply walked in and made himself at home. This was his way, as always.
"That is the greeting you have for your brother? I have not seen you since you left Mooreah. You didn't even say goodbye then,” he said, moving over to the table.
"I don't speak to you on Mooreah; why would I seek you out to say goodbye?"
"I have learned that the King has put a big project in your hands for the Earthlings. I would like to join,” he said to me.
"No. Now, if you will leave, I have work to do,” I said to him, pointing to the door.
He looked down at the table and then picked up the photo of Kelly. “Is this why you want me to leave? Do you have company? She is very pretty. Very delicious,” he said to me.
I snatched the photo from his hands and said, “No. I want you to leave because when I have brought you into a project in the past, you end up stealing funds from the project. This is why I do not speak to you anymore, or have you forgotten the last project, brother?”
He laughed and said, “That was a mistake. I did not steal from that project. I have come all this way. Will you not even offer hospitality to your brother?”
"No. Leave or I shall have you removed by order of the king. If he knew you were anywhere near this project, he would have you arrested. Does he even know that you have come to Earth?” I said to him sternly.
“Always telling on me, Kasian. You have been that way since we were younglings. When will you just be on my side for once?” He gave me a grin and then walked out. I moved over to the communication line and contacted my security team at the engineering project.
"This is Commander Kasian Jade. My brother has arrived on Earth. By no means is he allowed anywhere near the engineering project. I also need three warriors to come to my cabin and guard it while I am gone. He is a very dangerous warrior and is not to be trusted."
"Yes, Commander, right away.”
I hung up the line and waited for the security team to arrive. There was no way I would leave my home unattended where there was so much information about the project and about me stored away. My brother had proven himself time and again to be a very bad Drackon warrior. He had nothing but his own interests in mind and often was mixed up in the criminal element of those located on vanilla. I had come to his rescue many times, but after the last mix up on Mooreah a year ago, I cut off all ties with him. I no longer saw him as my brother. That wasn't something that I took very lightly; family meant everything to me.
I was glad that my new bride was not present when he appeared unannounced at my cabin. It would not be safe for her. Hopefully he would not return, but I knew my brother better than that. I would have to have a security team at all times even after she arrived. I knew that I would eventually have to report his presence to my king, but I hoped that my brother would leave Earth before I had to do that.
"Do not leave these premises. I also need security to follow my brother,” I said to the security team that arrived at my cabin.
"I will call it in now, sir. We will be tailing his every move."
"Just until he leaves this town. I don't need him tailed in other parts of Earth, just here,” I said to them. Then I left my cabin and went to the engineering project. That last order would be an order that I would regret, but I couldn't have known that then. I was too preoccupied with the engineering project and my bride coming the following week.
Chapter 3
KELLY PERKINS
I landed at the airplane terminal at six o'clock from Los Angeles. I took a taxicab straight into the heart of Manhattan to a very luxurious hotel that my husband to be, Commander Kasian Jade, had paid for. It was a great idea for me to stay the night since I was already arriving after sundown, and then making the trip the next morning refreshed and rested. I already had a long flight from Los Angeles to New York. I wanted to make a good impression when I met my husband to be; I wanted to look my best, not tired. It was nice of him to put me up in digs like these. I planned on changing into a formal dress and having a nice, expensive, gourmet meal alone. After all, food was my life—good food.
Then maybe I would take a luxurious bubble bath and have a beauty night with a clay mask and deep condition my hair. It would be like my own personal spa. I was very excited when I walked into the hotel lobby.
“You seem very happy. Haven’t seen a smile like that on a human female since I arrived on Earth; very nice,” I heard a very deep voice say.
I turned to see a very tall and gorgeous alien Drackon male leaning against the counter. He was so attractive, with brown hair and blue eyes, that he caught me off guard. I had never seen one this close before. He was very, very, tall. He winked and walked away from me into the lobby.
“How may I help you?” the desk attendant said.
“I’m checking in. Kelly Perkins,” I said as I looked at the desk attendant. The Drackon’s presence had left me breathless. I sort of took a peek over my shoulder to see if he was still in the area.
“Yes, Ms. Perkins, we have the penthouse suite all ready for you. Here is your key. Alexander, will you please take Ms. Perkins’ bags to penthouse three? Is there anything else I can do for you, Ms. Perkins?” she asked with a very polite smile.
“Yes, actually. I would like to make a reservation for dinner at nine in your best restaurant,” I said.
“Absolutely. How many?” she asked.
“Just one, only me. Treating myself,” I said to her.
“Understood, Ms. Perkins. Reservation is made in our Red Room Restaurant. It is our best, for nine o’ clock. Would you like a reminder call to your room thirty minutes before?”
“No, but thank you,” I said as I grabbed my key and allowed the bellhop to take my bags and lead me up to my room.
The room was astounding. I tipped the bellhop and closed the door behind me. It was an amazing penthouse, bigger than my apartment in Los Angeles. I walked into a very large sitting area with massive windows that overlooked the city. I moved toward them and pulled the heavy blue drapes all the way open. It was then that I noticed they were actually French doors. I pulled them open onto a large veranda outside. There were tables and lounge chairs, all for me. I jumped up and down and then moved back inside. There was a large welcome basket and two bottles of champagne and strawberries. It was then that I noticed the pink envelope. I greedily opened it. It read “ – to my Kelly. Please enjoy these gifts in thanks you for agreeing to take a chance on me. Yours, Commander Kasian Jade.”
“Oh my! He’s such a romantic. I hope that he is everything I want him to be,” I smiled. Then I moved to the bedroom. I gasped. There was a large canopy bed with lace curtains. The antique vanity dressing area was perfect. Then there was the main bathroom; I say main because there was a half bathroom in the hallway between the bedroom and sitting room.
“Oh! It’s perfect!” I shouted as I ran in. The tub was so large, I thought I might be able to swim inside of it. Everything was made of white marble and chandeliers d
angled from the ceiling. I twirled across the room. I went back to the main room and popped the champagne and ate a few strawberries. There wasn’t enough time to take a long bath, so I took my champagne into the bathroom and jumped in for a quick shower. Even the shower was incredible, with powerful water jets and aromatherapy steam. I could get used to this. When I was done with drying off, I poured another glass of champagne, and another, and another. Before I knew it, I was finishing off the bottle while brushing my hair. Oops, I said to myself as I felt very tipsy.
I put on a red silk dress and red heels and I felt like a million bucks. I brushed my hair into a slick ponytail on top of my head. I put on dangling silver earrings and bracelets to match. I wanted to feel like I was having a night on the town, even though I was only going downstairs.
I left the amazing penthouse and took the elevator down to the lobby. I secretly looked around for the gorgeous Drackon warrior that I had seen earlier. I knew that I was getting married soon, but there was no harm in looking. I walked into the restaurant and the host led me to my table. It was a very busy restaurant, but it was quiet and elegant, with candlelight on every table. A piano was being played in the corner and it was perfect and low key, yet still extravagant. It was very New York.
I sat down at the table and set the fabric napkin in my lap. I requested water and another glass of champagne from the waiter; I figured I might as well keep my buzz going to prevent me from setting into early hangover symptoms. Then I ordered a very indulgent meal of soup, filet mignon, sautéed vegetables and truffles, and a salad. I savored every single bite. I was truly in my element with the nice food. I really enjoyed cooking. Of course, I also kept the champagne flowing.
“Anything else, Ms. Perkins?” the waiter asked after he took my empty plate when I had finished the meal.
“Yes, New York cheesecake with dark chocolate,” I said with a smile. “And maybe some sort of rich chocolate coffee cocktail?”
“Absolutely, Ms. Perkins. We have a very nice Irish coffee with a shot of dark chocolate and the best whiskey all the way from Scotland,” he said with a smile.
“Yes, that sounds perfect, but could you make it a double?” I said, feeling very indulgent about my nightcap.
I dug into the cheesecake, and it did not disappoint me. As I licked the chocolate off the fork from the last bite, I realized that I was being watched. I looked toward the bar and I saw the Drackon warrior from the lobby. He was smiling at me. I felt so awkward and startled by his handsome face that I turned away from him quickly.
I put the fork down and drank from the coffee. Each time I looked into the mysterious Drackon’s eyes, he was staring at me. A piece of me enjoyed it, as I wasn't expecting any excitement like this for the night, other than really good food.
Then I did something risky. The next time we locked eyes, I batted my lashes and smiled at him. My heart began to beat so fast. It was exceptionally daring of me and I knew I was being such a bad girl. He grinned back. I was feeling flushed everywhere. I looked away and started to finish my coffee. I knew I should be getting back to the room to take a bath and relax. Tomorrow would be a big day for me. I looked up in order to ask the waiter for the check. Then I heard.
"May I sit with you, lovely lady?"
I looked up and into the blue eyes of the very tall Drackon, almost eight feet. It was him, the warrior that had been staring at me all night. It took me a few moments to understand that he was making a request to sit with me. It was just so bold.
"Yes, I assume that will be all right," I said timidly, stuttering over my words. I knew that I was being inappropriate, but there was no harm in a little flirtation—I thought.
He sat down, pulling a chair close to me. Then he gazed at me with such desire in his eyes that I felt like I was sitting there naked. Goosebumps erupted all over my body. I felt my nipples growing hard, and under a silk dress with no bra, I knew that they must be visible. I was about to ask for his name in order to break the tension
The server brought the check over and I stated, “Would you be able to charge it to my room please? Penthouse three."
"No, please put it all on my tab. I am in penthouse one," the mysterious Drackon said to me, shocking me.
The waiter nodded his head yes to the Drackon.
"Thank you, but you don’t have to do that. Let me call him back over here to put it on my room tab," I said.
“No. No need; please allow me to do this for you and your lovely smile. It has been very enjoyable watching you enjoy your meal. I should at least apologize for doing such a thing as watching you, and also pay for your meal.”
“You’ve been watching me?” I asked embarrassed.
“Yes, I am sorry. I tried not too, but you looked so amused by the food, it was hard to take my eyes off of you.”
“That is really embarrassing,” I said.
“Don’t be embarrassed. Please have another… what is this? Coffee?” he said, picking up my coffee and inhaling it.
“It’s coffee and whiskey,” I said to him, embarrassed that I was indeed feeling very drunk at this point. The coffee helped to counter act the drowsy effect.
“Yes, very good,” he laughed. Then he stood up from the table and loomed over me and in a very husky seductive voice said, “Enjoy the rest of your evening, Ms.?”
“Perkins. Ms. Kelly Perkins,” I said to him. He smiled and walked away to the waiter. He signed something, which I assumed was the bill, and then vanished out of sight. The waiter showed up a minute later with another Irish coffee and said, “The gentleman ordered you another round. Have a good evening, Ms. Perkins; will there be anything else I can get you?”
“No, that is all, thank you.”
After an hour, I was plastered in my room, still wearing my red dress and heels. I had hit the minibar after returning to my room and found myself very, very, drunk. I kept replaying the strange encounter with the hot Drackon warrior in my mind. He was so attractive. I started to imagine myself enjoying his company. This was, after all, my last night as a free woman. Why not indulge myself in one last fling? I found myself imagining the Drackon warrior, whose name I didn’t even know, touching me. I moved my hand over my belly and then up to my breasts, touching myself. I was growing very hot and felt my nipples grow hard.
The knock at the door startled me and broke me out of my fantasy. Had I ordered room service and forgot? “Who is it?” I asked.
“It’s me. Your neighbor in penthouse one,” the deep, familiar voice said. I knew it was him instantly—the attractive Drackon warrior.
I stumbled a little as I moved to the mirror to check my appearance, and then I opened the door.
"Well, aren’t you a sight," he said as he took a look at me. I must have looked like a total wreck. “I was about to ask you if you wanted to join me for a night cap,” he said, holding up a bottle of champagne and two crystal glasses, and then continued, “but it looks like maybe you have had enough. Are you all right?”
Many thoughts went through my mind. This was it. This was my chance to have one last hot, messy night before I was only allowed to be with one man forever; or I should say alien? What could be the harm in it? He was obviously travelling through the city or he wouldn’t be at the hotel in the first place.
“No, come in, please. One more drink won’t be so bad,” I said, moving aside letting him in. I had made up my mind; I was going to continue to treat myself. I knew it was wrong to do so in a room that my future husband had paid for, but in my drunken state, I didn’t even think of it. I was only thinking of myself and my last one-night stand of my single woman life.
He walked in and placed the champagne on the bar and poured us both a glass. He handed me one and clinked his glass on mine and said, “To Earth.”
“Yes, to Earth,” I responded. He drank and looked at me. I felt my heart beating very fast. He was wearing Drackon clothing which was a very tight grey material that covered his upper half of his body. His pants were also snuggly fitted to his
body, and pushed into calf-high boots. It was very exotic and surreal to me. I wanted to stare at the bulge in his pants, but I was too embarrassed to. I didn’t know how to do this sort of thing.
But, he did. Boy, did he know how. "Do you need me, Kelly?"
“What? I… um… I…” was all that I could mutter out of my mouth. He took the glass from my hand and put it down along with his. Then he lowered his lips to mine and kissed me passionately. Then he pulled away, leaving me gasping for air. Then he asked me again, “Do you need me? Do you want me to take you? I won’t touch you again unless you give me permission to. I want to hear you say it. I want to hear you say that you want me,” he said in a seductive voice as he looked at me up and down.