* * *
Tasha sat in her favorite spot at Paul’s Pancakes, stuffing her face with blueberry and cheese pancakes.
“You’re going to get fat, Tasha,” Alex warned, looking at her with great concern.
“I don’t care,” Tasha answered.
“What’s going on? I thought you’d already sorted that whole Walton fiasco,” Alex said. “And besides, you never even loved him in the first place.”
“Yeah, good for me, Tasha replied, wrinkling her nose at the thought of her affair with the billionaire she now despised. He had definitely not taken it well when she’d turned down his marriage proposal, bought out their existing partnership contract, and cut all ties with him. Fortunately the bald man, Anderson, and his team were making sure Bret wouldn’t retaliate or hurt her in any way.
“I can’t believe you have all this money now,” Alex whispered with an excited grin. “And that you’ve got a parent again! Your real dad!”
“Crazy, huh?” Tasha said. “I have yet to meet him, though. But Anderson assured me it will be real soon now.”
“So you and this Anderson guy are now buddies?”
Tasha laughed. “Yes.” But then her face turned serious again. Her best friend Alex recognized the nervous twitch in her nose and the anxious drumming of her fingers on the table.
“You’re driving me crazy with that drumming thing.” Alex hissed.
“Sorry,” Tasha said, stopping the habit at once. “I’m just nervous because any time now, Anderson would be calling to report to me about his findings.”
“Findings on what?” Alex probed.
Tasha looked her in the eye. “On what happened to Carter’s dad.”
“You asked him to investigate that?”
“Yeah, well, he’s capable of it so I used the opportunity.” Tasha leaned forward. “Alex, I need to know. I still have feelings for Carter, alright? And if I’m going to give us a second chance, I have to know the whole truth about what had transpired and driven him away. I think it’s got something to do with his dad going to prison.”
Suddenly, her phone rang. Tasha almost jumped. She picked it up, listening intently. “Yes… uh-huh…” she was murmuring. Then she got very quiet. Afterward, a tear rolled down her cheek.
Alex reached out to squeeze her hand and mouth I’m just here.
When Tasha finally put the phone down, she looked to be in shock. Then all of a sudden, she broke down, crying softly, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
On Sunday morning, Tasha sat by the lake, admiring the beautiful scenery and waiting for Carter to show up.
“It’s you,” a deep male voice suddenly said from behind her.
Tasha turned around to meet his gaze. “You came.”
“I thought this was going to be another boring couch potato Sunday, but I was shocked to find a bald guy on my doorstep asking me to come with him in his brand-new Mercedes Benz.”
Tasha laughed. “Sounds gay to me. Why’d you go with him?”
Carter shrugged. “I was curious.” He raised both hands to stroke her cheeks. His voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m glad I took the risk.”
“I’m glad too,” Tasha told him truthfully, smiling widely.
“Who would’ve thought you’d be up to something like this…” Carter said. “That man looked like a thug dressed in a suit.”
“He was in a suit?!” Tasha said in surprise, laughing again. “Oh, Anderson is a really sweet guy within.”
“So who’s this Anderson and why did you have me kidnapped and shipped here?”
Tasha motioned to the boat waiting at the shore. “I didn’t want to have another boring Sunday either. I figured we could resume our boating sessions.”
“I see.”
Tasha stepped closer and placed her arms around his neck. He looked taken aback, but he smiled. “I smell something fishy…” he said.
“I know about your dad, Carter.”
Carter was silenced. Tasha waited for him to say something. And after a while, he took a deep breath and asked, “About why he went to prison?”
Tasha nodded quietly as she gazed into his eyes and tried to understand him. Her heart went out to him. “Why didn’t you tell me he was dealing drugs and that your family had been threatened by this anonymous mafia guy?”
“You know the answer, Tash,” Carter replied. “I would never, ever let you get involved in something like that. When I realized my life had been turned around into this insane mess, I knew I had to get as far away as possible from you.” He paused, his eyes taking on a distant look as he recalled the painful moments and the most difficult decision he’d had to do.
“You could have talked to me at least.”
“You would have tried to follow me or look for me, Tasha. I know you.”
Tasha nodded in understanding. She wanted to argue, but she’d thought about it a lot before this day and she knew that if it were her in his place, she would have done the same thing.
“Have you visited him, Carter? Are you on good terms?”
“He has repented and is trying to change,” Carter answered in a sad tone of voice. “After Mom took her own life because of him, he finally awakened. I blamed him for a long time. I was filled with so much hatred… But we’re healing… Slowly getting there…”
“That’s good, Carter,” Tasha said. “I guess we both have new beginnings with our dads to look forward to, huh?
Carter’s eyes lit up. “Oh, yeah… Alex mentioned something about that. Have you met him yet?”
“Not yet, but he’s flying over next week.”
“That’s fantastic!” Carter said. “I’m happy for you, Tasha.”
“Thank you,” Tasha answered. “I’m nervous and excited at the same time. I can’t believe it! I still have a living parent who’s been watching out for me all these years. My biological dad.” She shook her head in disbelief.
Carter smiled and pulled her closer, hugging her tightly. “It seems like the perfect time for new beginnings, don’t you think?”
Tasha met his eyes shyly, but did not say anything.
Carter continued. “Tasha, after everything my dad has done… I blamed him for ruining our family and even destroying my life… But somehow, I’ve finally forgiven him just like you’ve forgiven me.” He whispered in her ear. “Do you think it’s too late to start again and maybe have a brighter future?”
Tasha pulled away gently and looked into his eyes. “Are you referring to him and you or to us?”
“Both.”
“It’s not too late, Carter,” Tasha answered softly. “For both.”
Carter bent forward and kissed her on the lips. The kiss was sweet, reminiscent of good times and yet symbolic of greater moments to come.
They kissed passionately, their arms wrapped around each other, ready to explore the possibilities of the future. This time, Tasha could feel the openness and genuine connection.
“I love you, Tasha,” he murmured. “I never stopped loving you all these years.”
“Thank you for everything, Carter. I love you too. And to be honest, I don’t think I ever stopped loving you too.”
They shared another sweet kiss, relaxing in each other’s embrace and knowing there was a lovely future ahead for them.
No pretensions, no secrets. It felt amazingly liberating. And as they shared stories while gliding on the lake, surrounded by the natural exquisiteness of the place, she knew it was the start of something true and beautiful.
“I’ve a gift for you, Carter,” Tasha blurted out.
He gave her a surprised look. “For what?”
“Well, consider it a thank you gift for all the kindness and sincerity you’ve shown me since we saw each other again. And you’re not allowed to say no.”
“But…”
“No buts,” Tasha interrupted.
He threw his hands in the air. “Alright,” he said, chuckling. His eyes twinkled as he gazed at her lovingly.
She took t
wo folded papers from her pocket and handed them to him. His eyes bulged when he read what was written on the e-tickets.
“Two tickets to Paris?! Are you out of your mind?” Carter exclaimed. “I can’t accept this. I mean, you shouldn’t splurge your savings just for…”
“Ssshhh,” Tasha said, placing a finger on his lips to silence him. “Don’t worry. You’re not the only billionaire now.”
He gave her a puzzled look.
“It’s a long story,” Tasha said with a smile. “So, how about next weekend?”
Carter grinned. “It’s a date.”
THE END
= Bonus Book 3 of 17 =
Aligning Planets
Book 1: Defying Attraction
Prince Kohl and his party of Ve’dran diplomats and guards have been residing in the diplomatic suites of a hotel on Earth. They had arrived hoping to strike out an alliance with Earth, mostly for the access it would give the Ve’dra to the larger United Alliance of Planets of the galaxy, which had always been wary of admitting the warlike Ve’dra. But he didn’t anticipate he’d be distracted by a single human woman though. Maya Lu, staff manager at the Hotel Grand Potomac, constantly surprises him with her boldness, and her beauty makes him hunger for her in a way he cannot define. They begin a relationship that Maya never would have anticipated, though even she can feel their connection. But then the proud prince makes a diplomatic move which results in widespread panic on Earth, and threatens to destroy Maya’s trust in him for good.
Chapter 1
Kohl
Prince Kohl stood in wait outside of the imposing entrance to the Hotel Grand Potomac with his bodyguard, waiting to be transported to Earth’s grand meeting of leaders. He’d taken residence on Earth after the humans’ own visit to Ve’dra, his home planet. After long years, the humans finally decided to try and establish diplomatic relations with the Ve’dra. Alien diplomats often stayed at the Grand Potomac.
His father, King Omrin IV, had not taken kindly to the humans’ unannounced visit, despite their seemingly friendly intentions. So Kohl offered to go to the blue planet to start an embassy there. It was not the Ve’dran way to have the lesser hand.
Ever since he had arrived on Earth, Kohl had noticed a lot of security, despite it being a diplomatic mission. The humans did not trust him.
A large black vehicle rumbled up to where Kohl stood. His men exited the vehicle to provide more cover as he got in.
“The humans, have they assembled?” Kohl asked. He was thinking about the miserable girls who had been sent up to his suite the night before. Some ‘unofficial diplomacy’ on the part of the humans. The girls had been such simpering fools, their emotions entirely false, their actions all rehearsed. He was a long way from home, and did indeed desire the touch of a woman. But they were entirely unsuitable, and not at all like Ve’dran females. He had dismissed them angrily.
Meekah, one of Kohl’s oldest guards, answered his question promptly. “Yes Prince Kohl, they await your presence to begin the negotiations.”
“Very good, I hope to make this as swift and painless as possible,” Kohl said, mostly to himself as he waited for the other three guards to enter the vehicle. Soon they were riding towards the grand states building that housed the meeting. The city called Washington D.C. paled in comparison to Ve’dra’s capital of marble and gold.
Kohl went over his terms, as to what cooperation would stem from the diplomatic relations with Earth. Of course they would give his the Ve’dra access to the technologies and medical advances humans had gained from being partner in the galaxy’s largest alliance, the UAP: the United Alliance of Planets. The long term goal was for Ve’dra to one day join the UAP, and reap all the strategic and technological benefits of being a member on that august body.
“We are here my lord,” Meekah said when they reached the white-columned building with its grand dome at the top. Kohl stepped out of the vehicle when the door was opened and he walked within the cover of his guards. He didn’t look up from the ground until he felt he was within the meeting chamber. Chatter surrounded him and annoyance was quick to lift his head.
“Can we begin, Prince Kohl?”
Kohl’s his attention was called to the head of the full to bursting room. People sat or stood behind carved white benches, centered on a raised ornate wooden stand. One man stood near it, the one who spoke. His skin was papery white and thin, his expression hiding barely checked aggression. Kohl could snap his neck with one hand if he wished it.
“Yes, I am ready to begin,” Kohl said as he climbed the two steps to sit behind the ornately carved podium.
“Let us call this meeting to order…” the human addressed the people within the chamber. The voices quieted and Kohl was given the floor.
“As discussed, I come to you today with the terms my people seek to…agree upon. We are confident that you and your people will welcome these terms as they were wrought out in all fairness to both our kind,” Kohl began, taking the room’s attention. Broadcasters were pointed at him and he knew he had more of an audience than anticipated. But that audience had no voice, their voice sat silently before him. Kohl almost smiled, he knew how things would proceed.
“Earth and Ve’dra will be united in a truly beneficial alliance. We expect your people to extend both technological as well as medical advancements to Ve’dra. This means allowing our greatest of minds to access the intelligences you gain from the United Alliance of Planets, as well as facilitating, at a future date, the entry of Ve’dra into the UAP. For these courtesies Ve’dra will of course see Earth as friendly and protect its peoples from any galactic military endeavors of ours.” Kohl finished on a crisp note and there was a beat of heavy silence.
“Is that it?” one man snapped, rising swiftly from his seat, hands on his hips and a look of incredulity on his face. “You expect us to give intelligence to you for what? A promise that you won’t aim to ‘hit us’ in case you seek to make war against another planet? You expect us to house your people on our planet in order for you to get what you want?” with that brave outburst the rest followed. Of course the humans were not agreeing to something so simple, so easy to agree to, something that benefitted both sides.
“An alliance is an agreement between two states that is equally beneficial,” shouted one person wearing a drab brown suit.
“This is beneficial for both sides,” Kohl said.
“No it’s not. You only want to use us to get to the UAP and that’s the bottom line. Well the basis for joining the UAP is giving access to your space military force, agreeing to extensive peace treaties with all UAP members, as well as donating your best minds to further the advancements of the galaxy. We won’t accept any other terms less than that.”
Kohl was disgusted with the indignant people before him. “You expect me to allow my military to be used by the likes and whims of you people?” Kohl was perplexed, as if such a thing were fathomable.
“It’s the compromise we all have to come to,” another of their leaders shouted that to Kohl. He had had enough. He quickly stood and made his way to the rear of the room.
“I will be back once you have come to your senses. After all, if we cannot work out a favorable agreement…well then Earth would come to unfavorable terms with Ve’dra then, wouldn’t it?”
Chapter 2
Maya
“Miss Lu, Miss Lu!” Maya glanced up from her desk to see one of the bellhops running into her office. “Miss Lu…he…uh—”
“Calm down Jason, relax...what is it?” she asked him slowly and in a measured tone. Poor Jason, the skinny kid barely out of high school that he was, bent over and took two deep breaths.
“Prince Kohl…he didn’t like the food that we brought him and none of the housekeeping staff want to go up there to clean the mess he made.”
“Alright calm down Jason…I’ll go up there,” Maya sighed and got up. Good thing she finished sorting out checks. That demanding Prince Kohl was one entitled male. “You know…I re
ally need to have a meeting about this. It’s bad enough he has hotel security going up there to bring his meals, but now he has my staff scared? This is ridiculous.”
Maya thanked Jason for informing her, and went to go check out a cleaning cart. Of all the intergalactic diplomats present at the hotel, which was more like one giant hotel for off-planet state guests, Prince Kohl had to be the worst. If he wanted to be treated like a prince with people who would demurely put up with his BS, then he should have stayed on Ve’dra. Honestly the way he treated the hotel’s staff was unacceptable. Maya often had to go in to clean his suite or clear out meals just because her staff would beg not to go in there. Luckily he always ignored Maya when she went in. That or she simply knew how lightly to walk around and to stay out of his line of fire.
Maya reached the cleaning cart storage room at the other end of the hall from the kitchens. She swiped her ID badge and the door unlocked for her to push in. She grabbed the closest cart and rolled out, heading to the elevators to get to the top floor. Of course Prince Kohl had to have the largest suite in the place. She took calming breaths as she stepped onto the elevator and rode up. When the doors opened right into the dining room Maya scowled. The cart that had Kohl’s food on it was tipped over and there was a four course steak dinner all over the floor.
Grumbling to herself about spoiled men, she got to cleaning up the mess, throwing out all but the silver platters the plates were served on. After that she scrubbed and treated the floor and went about cleaning the dining table.
“My prince, what if the humans do not accept our terms?”
Maya’s ears pricked when she heard the deep male voice. Whoever it was speaking to Prince Kohl, he was just in the living room and didn’t seem to realize she was in earshot.
“They will. They do not have the backing of the precious UAP. When they went to our planet it was a sole excursion, not approved by the UAP. The UAP have never invited us to become a member because they believe our kind to be…aggressive.”
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