Dominated By Desire

by Barbara Donlon Bradley

  She walked around them and sauntered into the room. Switching to English she spoke to Storm. “I think you should get dressed, brother, while I speak to your bride.”

  He growled under his breath but let go of Heather and did as she asked.

  “Tiko you are a pain sometimes.”

  “Tiko?” Heather spoke up. “That I can pronounce.” He grinned. His sister deserved it.

  “I have a gift for you,” Storm’s sister handed her a wrapped up cloth, not commenting on his little pet name for her. He noticed she didn’t give his bride permission to use Tiko, but she didn’t deny her either.

  “What is it?” Heather undid the binds before unfolding the cloth to reveal the family seal now mounted on a chain. She ran her fingers over it gently. “It’s beautiful.”

  He always thought so. It was the tree of life from their planet surrounded by the key elements to keep life going. Her caress showed him she respected it as much as he did.

  “But I can’t wear this.”

  “You have to.” Storm and his sister said it in unison.

  “Don’t tell me that’s what the call was about. They want me to wear this.” She slipped the chain around her neck. It fell right at the juncture of where the bodice stopped on the dress. “At least I now understand why the top was cut so low.”

  “What top?” asked Storm’s sister.

  “The dress.”

  “Ah.” She pulled a small device out of her pocket. “I am also supposed to load our language to your translator.”

  “It can be uploaded from...” Heather stopped. They were very cautious and probably didn’t trust the equipment. “And you can’t do it that way because of security reasons.”

  “You do catch on fast.” His sister smiled at her. “Where is your translator?”

  “Behind my left ear.” She pulled her hair back to show the access point for her to use. Storm also noticed the faintest sign of his mark. He knew his sister spotted it too because of the look she gave him.

  “I’ll need you to lie down.”

  She nodded and stretched out on the couch.

  After Storm’s sister set everything up to download she grabbed her brother by the arm and dragged him out of earshot. “Are you crazy?”

  “Couldn’t help myself.” He shrugged. The damage was done, no reason to be upset now.

  “She’s not supposed to have that mark until after the mating ceremony.” She glanced at Heather. “In fact she shouldn’t have been able to receive it.

  Have you two bonded already?”

  “Uncle came with me. Something about wanting to see what was out there before he finished his term as religious leader. You know he’s the one person none of us can say no to.”

  “So that is why you’ve gone along with this.” She reached out to his left arm and felt the invisible bond around his wrist. “I couldn’t figure out why you didn’t fight this whole thing. What did he tell you?”

  “She’s my destiny.”

  “This will disappear once the mating ceremony happens.” She let go of his wrist. “Have you told her about it?”

  “Told me about what?” She picked up the device Storm’s sister had placed on her shoulder and sat up.

  “Say my name.”

  “Tiko.” Heather then laughed as the translator told her what the nickname really meant. “Storm, making me think Tiko was a name I could use was wrong. Unless you want me to call you a dung heap for the rest of your life.”

  “I’d rather you not.” She stepped up and removed the downloader. “You should be able to understand anyone now. There might be a few old dialects that can cause a little trouble, but overall you should be able to converse with anyone from our planet.”

  “Thank you.” She folded her hands into her lap. “Now you two can’t talk about me and keep me in the dark.”

  “True.” His sister smiled. “In the morning we’ll go over protocol for the banquet. There’s quite a bit you’re going to need to know. In the meantime why don’t you ask my brother about our marriage ceremony? I’m sure there’s a lot he can tell you about it.”

  “Why did that sound like a dare?” Heather asked after his sister left.

  “Because it was.” His fingers started to work on the front of the shirt.

  “Now, where were we?”

  “Oh, no you don’t.” She batted his hands away. “I have a feeling you don’t think I’m going to like this so you’re trying to distract me.” He sighed but didn’t stop trying to get the shirt off her. He just might commit murder by the end of the day. “You know how modest you are?”

  “I’m no more modest than the next human.”

  He could argue that point but decided it would only make matters worse. If his sister hadn’t said anything he would have had more time before having to explain. Maybe it was better to get it out in the open now. Give her time to accept it. “And you’ve made a comment or two about my lack of modesty.”

  She nodded.

  “Our whole society is that way. Where you cover up when in public we don’t have to. What you consider private and should be kept in the bedroom we celebrate, whenever and wherever we want to.” He finally got the shirt off of her and smiled at the treasure he had revealed. “Our wedding ceremony is a reflection of that. We wear capes or maybe you call them robes. Nothing on underneath. Our religious figure says a few words and then the ceremony begins.”

  “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “That’s why I’m going to show you the ceremony so you won’t have any confusion.” He touched her face. “It’s a sacred and beautiful ceremony to us. Just let me gather a few things first and you’ll see what I’m talking about.”

  He stepped away from her, enjoying the view once again. “And don’t cover up. I like you that way.”

  The bed had a sheet he could use for the cape. As he went to pull it off the bed, he noticed his closet doors were open. Hanging in them were two capes that would work perfectly. He found it odd they were there since he didn’t pack anything like that but didn’t question. The desire to do this now overwhelmed him. “I’m not sure where these came from but they’ll do.” He slipped one over her shoulders then donned the other one himself.

  “Now we need to find a special place.”

  “At the embassy?”

  “I know just the spot.” Taking her hand, he had her following him, racing down several halls and out into the night. They dashed across the grass to a wooded area that would conceal them from prying eyes.

  “Now.” He turned her toward him and took both of her hands in his.

  “Our religious leader would stand nearby. Not always where the couple could see him. It’s the same for the guests. This moment is about the couple and no one else.”

  “Then why have it witnessed like this?”

  “It’s part of our tradition.” He saw the fear in her eyes. “That is why we’re doing this now. Just the two of us. I don’t want you to fear what we find beautiful and sacred.”

  “And if I can’t go through with it?”

  “I’ll never make you do something you don’t want to.” He’d have to find a way, but for now he needed her calm enough to go through the trial run. Perhaps if he could get her to see how glorious it was, he could make her forget about anything else.

  “So what happens after the guy says his piece?” She was frightened. He could hear it in her voice and felt it in the beat of her pulse.

  “I open my arms with the cape and you do the same. Then step in and wrap your arms around me.” She moved fast, but the heat of her body against his was what he wanted anyway. He wrapped his cloak about her and eased her to the ground.

  “And now?”

  “We share our need for each other.” He didn’t give her a chance to protest. First he captured her lips as he released the ties at her throat so he could have access. There was something about the soft tissue there that drew him. His fingers deftly worked at the folds of her mound causing her to arch against h
im. When he felt her slick and wet he entered her.

  Heather’s legs wrapped around him, her hips already moving. Each time he entered her he felt like he was home. Her muscles tightened around him, drawing a moan from him.

  “Now you repeat after me.”

  “What?” She was so caught up in the sensations enveloping them both she had forgotten about the ceremony. “Oh. Right.”

  “You are my heart, my soul. There will be no other. I will protect you, care for you, give you the passion you deserve. Make you as happy as I can for the rest of my days.”

  She repeated the words. Her voice sultry and caught up in the throes of passion, but her eyes were clear and bright, and looking at him. Then a tremor passed through her and she lost contact with him. Her orgasm took her hard and fast and pulled him along with her. The grip her muscles had on him was exquisite, tightening ever so slightly until he found it hard to think.His world splintered around him.

  “You know this could get addictive.” She came close to purring.

  “Glad you see it my way.” He wanted to shout his joy at her reaction.

  “So when I grab you in the hallway and drag you into some dark corner to have my way with you, there will be no argument?”

  “I–”

  He covered her mouth with his so she couldn’t say anything else.

  ****

  The next morning he sat with her drinking coffee. “I do like this beverage.”

  “You don’t have coffee on Vespia?” She gave him a mock look of horror. “Can’t go if you don’t have my coffee.”

  “Really?” He loved the way the white gown she wore that first night clung to all the right places. “And if I were to throw you over my shoulder and force you onto the ship?”

  “I’ll be obnoxious and fight you all the way.” She took a sip of her coffee. “It’s the coffee that keeps me human.”

  He came up behind her and slipped one hand inside her gown. “As long as you still get on the ship you can be as obnoxious as you want.”

  “Like you?” She looked up at him, leaning her head against his arm.

  Something changed between them last night. She was more comfortable with him and his advances. He’d like to think she was more comfortable with the upcoming ceremony but he wouldn’t know for sure until they talked about it.

  His sister came slamming into the room. “Are you two out of your minds?”

  “What are you talking about?” Heather was the first one to speak.

  “Last night. The mating ceremony?” She was angry. She stared at his arm still inside Heather’s nightgown. “Can you please focus?”

  “We are.” Heather pulled his hand out of her top since he hadn’t removed it himself. “You brought up the ceremony and your brother wanted to show me what was involved. So we, um, did a dry run.”

  “I wouldn’t say it was dry.”

  She blushed a pretty shade of pink at his words.

  “And where did you get the capes?” Storm’s sister stared at him.

  “They were in my closet.” He wasn’t quite sure what she was so angry about. “I don’t know how they got there but they came in handy.”

  “I do.” Heather took another sip of her coffee.

  “They were mom and dad’s in case you didn’t, wait, you know who left them?” His sister turned her attention to Heather.

  “Yeah.” She sat her cup down. “The strange little man who did that other ceremony. The chalice and the rope were resting on those capes. He must have left them behind after the ceremony.”

  “You two have no clue what happened last night, do you?” She looked at him then looked at Heather. “He was there last night.”

  “Who was where?” Heather didn’t get the implications but he did.

  “In the woods. I watched him bless your union.”

  “What were you doing there?” Storm had wanted last night to be special between him and Heather, now he was learning it was more than that.

  “I saw the two of you running across the lawn last night and knew what was on your mind. I had to be sure you were going to be safe.” He glared at her.

  “Don’t give me that. I’ve seen the way you become hyper focused on something and this time it’s Heather. You weren’t thinking about safety, just privacy. Someone had to watch your back.”

  “So you were our witness.” He looked at Heather, realizing she was truly his.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “We had the real ceremony last night.”

  “What?” She looked from Storm to his sister. “But I thought there were certain things that had to happen.”

  “Yes. Our religious leader was there to proceed over the ceremony.” He knelt beside her chair watching her reaction.

  “But we were alone.”

  “We thought we were alone.” He touched her face softly. “We’ve fulfilled the obligation of the mating vows.”

  “Does that mean I don’t have to go through something so intimate with an audience?”

  “Is that all you can think of?” Storm’s sister slammed her hand on the table. “You broke protocol!”

  “How?” He stood and glowered at his sister. “If he was there then he approved. How was that breaking protocol?”

  She got flustered because she didn’t have an answer. “Your mate and I need to go over what will happen tonight.”

  Heather stood. “Let me get changed.”

  “I haven’t seen a mark.” Storm still couldn’t believe the ceremony had happened.

  “That’s because you are as blind as they come.” She punched him in the chest. “It’s right where I hit you.”

  He walked to a mirror and noticed the small mark just below his right nipple. “How about that.”

  “What mark?”

  “Did he leave that out? The mating ritual marks the couple. You both have the same mark.” She took Heather by the arm and brought her to the same mirror. First she pointed to Storm’s chest then to the left side of her neck.“And what does the mark mean?”

  “That you’re my mate.” He pulled her into his embrace. “And my sister needs to show you the respect of being my mate.”

  “I have.” She looked hurt by his words.

  “Ignore his gruffness. He’s just upset you interrupted him before he got a chance to repeat last night.” Heather grabbed some clothes and changed.

  “Not going to dart into the bathroom?” asked Storm. Yesterday she wanted to try the dress on in another room and today her modesty seemed to be gone.

  “Why? Everybody here has seen it all already.” Heather stood in front of them with her arms crossed over her chest. “There is a lot that needs to be done before everyone gets here. I know your people are making sure your leaders are made comfortable but since I’m the only human in this building I must do the same.”

  She started toward the door. They opened just as she reached them which stopped her for a second. It was one thing to have a computer open doors aboard ship but to have people do it unnerved her. “Don’t think I’ll ever get use to this.”

  “She moves pretty quickly so you might want to keep up.” He wanted to laugh as his sister scrambled out the door.

  ****

  “Do you take everything in stride like this?”

  Heather wanted to beat her. Of course she didn’t take everything in stride, but what could she do? “Like what? My life being turned upside down by not one but two Vespians?”

  “And how do you handle things when massive mistakes happen?”

  “You make the best of it.” Heather rubbed her head. The beginnings of a headache starting. “I was nothing more than an unknown human who worked for our government three days ago. My assignment was to protect the ambassador of Vespia. Then my assignment changed. Now I’m married to the ambassador who seems to have a jealous girlfriend or two.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Why else would anyone want to target me? I am nothin
g.” Heather took a right turn toward the kitchens. The head chef bowed to her as she entered. “A lieutenant in the UCE military. Not big brass, not some sort of special agent. Just someone from security who happened to pique the interest of a bunch of dignitaries. Now I have to contend with this. Making sure two worlds are happy, and treated evenly. Plus I have to come home with a treaty that works for both worlds. I didn’t ask for this.”

  “How may I help you, mistress?” the head chef had stepped up the moment she walked into the room.

  “I need to know what you have planned for the leader of the UCE.”

  “UCE?”

  “United Countries of Earth. It’s not pretty but it works.” Heather explained.

  “We were sent a list of foods to use for him as well as our own leaders.

  This is what we came up with to keep both sides happy and not have two separate menus.” He handed her a card that showed what would be served.

  “Perfect. If you treat them differently they could take offense.” She looked it over before handing it back. “Thank you.”

  “Welcome, Ma’am.”

  “And the seating arrangements? Has that been done yet?”

  “Yes, Ma’am. They are waiting for your approval in the main hall.” Heather walked out of the kitchen and headed to the rooms where the leaders would be able to freshen up and rest if they wished. She walked into one room and started shouting. “Who is in charge of these rooms?” A timid young woman stepped forward. “I am, Ma’am. Is there something wrong?”

  “I’m sorry that I shouted but I didn’t see you and have learned it is the best way to get people to move around here. Could you make sure you have the exact same flowers in each room? If you have anything different it could cause trouble.”

  “Of course.”

  “Now, what did I need to know about the dinner tonight?” Heather asked herself out loud. She snapped her fingers and headed to the other rooms with his sister in tow. “You haven’t said a whole lot since we started.”

  “I need your undivided attention for our protocol.” She smiled.