“Ah. I see. Ladies, I have water, juice, a grain loaf and soup. I doubt you’ve been eating well so let’s start with something that will go easy on you,” he smiled again.
He looked at Sienna and she fought not to squirm as she held his gaze. “Why don’t we sit over here and talk?” He gestured to several chairs on the far side of the room.
“I don’t want to sit with you or talk to you. I want to see the others,” she snapped at him. He was smiling again and she felt like slapping him to get rid of the smile.
“Tell me your name.”
“Sienna,” she glared at him.
“Sienna, I promise your friends are fine. They are having their injuries treated and then they will be returned to you.” He was smiling again. She gritted her teeth. She took a deep breath and tried to remember he had pulled them out of a bad situation but he irritated her.
“Fine, but I’m not going to wait forever,” she told him glaring.
“Can we talk then?” he asked.
“I don’t know why I should talk to you or trust you. Everyone out here has an agenda and some of them aren’t pretty at all,” she told him angrily. Even as she said the words she was torn. She wanted to trust him. She wanted to be held by him and hear him tell her everything would be okay. What was wrong with her, she didn’t need a man to take care of her. Tim had proved that to her.
He watched her for a few moments. Then he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. His skin seemed to shimmer for a moment and then the gold began to fade into pale green. Dark green spots began to show down the sides of his face starting at his temple and running just in front of his ears and then down his jaw and down his neck into his collar. His lips became dark green and his finger nails turned moss green. She looked at his hands and the spots were also there as he reached up and removed blue contacts allowing his metallic gold eyes to show.
“You look like Ashaa!” Sienna exclaimed. The others turned to look at them.
“Due to our history we camouflage ourselves when we have contact with others,” he said it in hard flat voice. “But yes, your friend does appear to be one of us. Why don’t I start by removing those bruises from your face and let’s go from there.”
She stood there glaring at him for few moments but he just smiled. She threw her hands in the air and turned to the chairs and sat. Confused by him and herself, she gave in for few moments. He sat beside her and placed his hand on her cheek. Unlike Ashaa’s cool soft hand, his hand was warm and she could feel his calloused palm begin to heat more. His touch caused a low electric tingle to run over her. She shivered and opened her eyes to look at him startled by the sensation. Desire was flaring in the gold eyes so hot it made her blush. She tingled all over. Then he was sitting back, it was over but his eyes still spoke to her.
“Better?” he asked softly.
“Yes,” she said shaking herself mentally. “Now, the others?”
“Why don’t you eat and we’ll talk when you’re not so tired,” he suggested softly with the sexy smile. Then he got up and walked to the others and pulled out a chair for her. She glared at him and stayed where she was. He winked at her and she wanted to scream. She heard him speak to Jasmine then saw him reach and touch Jasmine’s cheek. Part of her wanted to protest, she didn’t want him touching anyone else. She watched as the bruise seemed to evaporate away. Jasmine was smiling but she didn’t look stunned the way Sienna had felt when he had touched her. Jasmine laughed and thanked him. He turned and walked to Sienna again. Sienna tried to shake the odd and confusing thoughts from her mind. What the hell is the matter with me?!!
He bent close. “I’ll check on the others for you,” he told her quietly as he caressed her cheek with his index finger. She snapped her head back and glared. The man was infuriating. Then he winked and then left the room. Sienna wanted to scream and throw things and she really had no idea why he rubbed her the wrong way. But he did, and worse yet the damn man knew and enjoyed flustering her.
***
Rose didn’t open her eyes immediately as she woke. A male voice was speaking softly to her in a language she didn’t understand and there was a very warm male hand under her shirt resting on her stomach. She could feel callouses on his palm and fingers that told a tale of hard work. She opened her eyes and saw the most beautiful face she’d ever seen. His eyes were closed but she already knew they’d be metallic gold. He was pale green with dark green lips and dark green spots that started at his temple and flowed down the sides of his face and neck. His hair was a shade of almost black in color with dark red highlights catching the light and reached just past his shoulders. She wanted to touch it.
“You look like Ashaa,” she said quietly. He stopped speaking and opened his eyes. Then he smiled and his face lit with a glow. He laughed softly.
“Is this a good thing?”
“Of course,” Rose felt herself blush.
“I was starting to worry. You’ve been out for a long time. How do you feel?”
Rose considered the question and realized she no longer hurt and nothing was throbbing. “Much better,” she answered slowly. “What did you do?”
“I just used a little warmth for healing, so you can breathe without pain and use your hand. Let’s take the wrap off your arm.”
He helped her sit up and she realized the rib wraps were gone.
“I hope you don’t mind. I cut the fabric out of my way,” he told her with a smile as he guessed her thoughts.
“No it started out as someone’s jacket before they shredded it to wrap me in it.”
She couldn’t stop staring at him. Everywhere his hands touched felt like little electric shocks to her skin. He looked up and met her eyes. He smiled again and Rose had the urge to giggle. God, how she hated giggly girls she thought and grimaced.
“My name is Vax. Yours?”
“Rose. Can all of your people heal with your hands?” she heard herself ask. She shook her head, “Sorry probably a rude question. Sometimes my brain to mouth filter stops working and I blurt out stuff.”
He laughed again. “It’s okay, I don’t mind. I’m guilty of it myself sometimes. I was just about to ask if the flower you’re named after is as pretty as you. Or I may just blurt out you have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen.”
Rose felt her face flame. It was impossible this beautiful man thought the same of her as she did him but his words felt true.
“I’m guessing it’s very rare to have two different colors in your eyes,” he told her as he took in the doubt in her eyes.
“Yes, it’s very rare and only occurs in about six out of every thousand births,” Rose told him.
“You don’t like them?” he guessed with a tilt of the head.
“They’ve never made my life easy. Let’s put it that way. Combined with the red hair, freckles and being very short, it makes for a tough life for a little girl on the playground.”
“Well, I happen to think they’re stunning. I also like the freckles,” he told with smile. “Let’s see if you can stand.” He helped her to her feet. “Wow! You are tiny.” He towered over her by about a foot. At a measly 5’3” that wasn’t hard for most people.
Whatever he was about to say next was lost as a tone sounded. “Come in,” he called out but his eyes never left hers.
“Her guardian is about to start gnawing on the walls if you don’t return her soon,” one of the other men from the market joked as he stuck his head in the room. He too now resembled Ashaa. He backed out of the room and whistled as he went down the passage way.
“Let’s go see the others and I’ll get you something to eat.” He took her hand and led her from the room.
“What’s with the gold skin and blue eyes?”
“Camouflage.”
“Why?”
“That’s a long sad story we’ll save for later when you can’t sleep,” he joked with her. The thought of him sitting next to her bed at night made Rose blush again. Some days she hated being a redhead. Every emotio
n she had showed in her face. The door at the end of the passage opened and they entered a room where something smelled delicious and Rose’s empty stomach growled.
Sienna was suddenly wrapping her in a bear hug. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, except your squeezing me to death,” Rose explained.
“Oh, sorry. I’ve just been so worried.” Sienna looked close to tears.
“Hey, no black eye,” Rose noticed.
“Dezek cleared up mine and Jasmine’s. Yours is missing too,” Sienna noted.
“Sorry, I forgot my manners. Sienna, this is Vax. Vax, Sienna.”
“Thank you for helping her,” Sienna thanked the young man.
“I was happy to help. Rose, it appears Dezek has seen to the meal. I need to leave you here and check in on the bridge,” he smiled at her again. “I’ll be back in while.” He tapped her nose gently and left the room smiling. Sienna raised her brows at Rose’s wide smile and Rose blushed, “What?”
***
For Taylor the ride in the vehicle had been nearly more than she could take. Her ribs hurt so bad no she couldn’t stop the silent tears from sliding down her face.
“We’re nearly there now. I know you hurt. I’ll do something as soon as I put you down,” he told her as he carried her up an incline and then out of the sunlight. She knew they were now inside a ship again. She felt every change of direction he took. Finally, he placed her on a bed but she didn’t open her eyes. He started removing the bindings. She placed her hand on top of his without opening her eyes.
“What are you doing?” her voice was breathless with pain.
“I can’t work with the fabric in my way,” he told her quietly in his deep gruff voice. She opened her eyes and was startled by his appearance. Gone was the gold skin, he now resembled Ashaa with the pale green skin, dark green lips and dark green spots but his eyes were still blue. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly as though he might smile about her surprise. He was incredibly sexy she thought. With that smile, that face, and his low deep voice, he was definitely trouble. And his scent. She couldn’t forget to put that on list. Even though she’d been in near agony since he lifted her into his arms, the scent of him made her mouth water.
“You’re eyes are wrong,” she cocked her head in thought. He laughed. Was everything about him sexy she wondered?
“Would you like me to take out the lenses?”
“Yes.”
He shook his head and smiled but reached up and popped out the lenses. His eyes were now the metallic gold of Ashaa’s. He put the lenses on the table and turned back to her.
“Better?”
“Definitely. Why are you removing the wraps, my ribs are cracked, possibly broken. The wraps keep them stable while I breathe. It keeps the pain down.”
“I can’t work without touching your skin. When I’m finished your ribs won’t be broken,” he told her in his deep gentle voice. “My name is Moz.”
She watched him for another moment and nodded and then told him, “My name is Taylor.” He continued cutting away the wraps. When he was finished her breath was slightly labored.
“I’m going to place my hand under your shirt against your skin,” he told her quietly. She felt the fabric move and then his large hand came to rest on her skin. Heat from his skin seared through her. The sensation was electric. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He looked slightly startled himself as though the sensation was new for him also. The heat from his hand spread and the pain began to ease. She closed her eyes again and simply reveled in the heat spreading from his large calloused hand. After about fifteen minutes, he spoke again.
“How do you feel now?”
“Warm,” she smiled, eyes still closed. The peace she had been unable to find since they’d been taken settled over her.
“I have the overwhelming urge to kiss you,” he confessed.
That statement opened her eyes. He was still but she could see desire had darkened the gold of his eyes. She sat up slowly. His hand slid to her waist but he didn’t remove it. She reached out and touched his cheek and jaw. His face was as smooth as hers. Sliding her hand to his temple she traced the spots which had a slightly different texture and his breath hitched. She smiled.
“The spots are sensitive to touch?”
“When you touch them, they are,” he growled softy. She let her fingers wander into the short silky black hair. He didn’t move but his eyes and his spots both darkened further. His hand tightened slightly at her waist. “You’re coloring is much darker than the others, why?” he asked her.
“I’m a Navajo Indian. Our people have darker skin than those with European backgrounds.”
“You’re beautiful. Your hair is stunning, I can’t wait to see it loose,” he said as he played with the end of her long, thick braid slowly loosening the silky strands. “Who hurt you?” his question was a soft growl.
“Private Jennings, he attacked Rose and we tried to stop him. We failed but Ashaa came to just in time to prevent the attack from escalating beyond the bruises and broken bones.” She continued to explore his features with a light touch. His spots had darkened to almost black and his metallic eyes had turned a deep bronze but he stayed very still.
“What happened to him?” his voice was deep, low and dangerous.
“I think Ashaa killed him. The little green beings dragged his bloody body out of the cell and out of the room. After that who knows,” she explained. She couldn’t stop touching him. She didn’t know what it was about him that drew her. She only knew she wanted to spend as much time with him as she could. She had only just met him but somehow she knew with certainty that she couldn’t live without him.
“Good, then I don’t need to hunt him down.”
She raised her brows at that statement but she knew with that same certainty she couldn’t explain that he meant the words. He stood slowly. The hand on her waist slipped to her back. His other hand slid along her jaw and into her long black hair which now flowed free. He lowered his face till his lips were only a breath away from hers.
“Now is the only chance to stop me,” the soft words feathered across her lips. She smiled and closed the distance. The touch of his lips on hers was even more electric than his hot hands on her skin. The kiss started off gentle and teasing. She opened for him and he took the invitation and crushed her to him. His mouth consumed her. He pulled her tight against him. With him standing between her knees the patient bed made her the perfect height, his erection pressed into her core. Taylor could feel the heat of his body burn through the light fabric she wore. No man she had ever known had made her burn this way. Sometimes she had wondered if she were defective and cold on the inside. More than one man had accused her of being unfeeling and she had to wonder if it were true. She would never wonder that again. His touch, his scent, and voice had started a blaze inside her that threatened to consume them both. His mouth moved across her jaw, down her neck where he nipped her gently making her shiver again.
“You taste like the heavens,” he groaned into her neck. He wanted much more but knew this wasn’t the time. Holding her tight to him, he fought for control. Damn but no woman had ever brought him so close to the loss of control. Her hands stroked down his back. He shifted and pressed his forehead to hers and looked into her eyes. His breathing still slightly labored.
“You have no idea how tempted I am to lock that damn door and pretend no else exists. Unfortunately, Dezek is about to knock and tell me I have to return you to your leader and get back to work,” he told her with a regretful smile. A tone sounded and they both smiled. He shifted back from her slightly before answering. “Yes?”
The door slid open and Dezek strode in. He surveyed Moz for a moment. Dezek’s eyes narrowed before they widened and Moz laughed. Taylor looked over her shoulder and then laughed and rested her head against Moz’s shoulder.
“Moz, get your hands off that woman and return her to her guardian. Sienna is about to gnaw on the walls.” With that he turned and walke
d out of the room as laughter broke out behind him.
“You heard the boss.” He helped her off the bed and threaded his fingers through hers and led her into the passageway. “This isn’t finished.” His eyes smoldered.
“I certainly hope not,” Taylor told him with a smile.
The door in front of them opened and he ushered her into the room where there was a delicious smell in the air. She glanced around and then she frowned slightly, “Where is Ashaa?”
“Someone is caring for her, I promise,” he said.
Before he could say more, Sienna noticed them and came across the room to hug her.
“Are you okay?” she asked. But she already knew the answer, Taylor’s serenity smile was back in place and she breathed easier.
“I’m much better thank you,” Taylor said with her smile. Sienna then noticed her slightly swollen lips and mussed hair and the intertwined fingers of the pair. Her brows rose and Taylor laughed. “Really, I’m fine.”
“Have something to eat and let me see what else Dezek needs done. I’ll come back when I’m done,” Moz told her as he kissed her lips and left the room.
“Something I should know about?” Sienna asked with a smile.
“Not yet.”
“Really, then why do you look like you were kissed senseless?” Sienna leaned in and whispered.
“Because I was!” Taylor laughed and headed for the table. Upon reaching the table she knelt next to Zabyss. “Are you alright?”
Zabyss squeaked excitedly and wrapped several tentacles around Taylor. Taylor hugged her back.
“Zabyss happy you back. You better, friend?”
“Yes, I’m much better now. We were worried about you when we woke and you weren’t with us,” Taylor assured her.
“Trusky not nice. Zabyss not like,” the little orange creature huffed indignantly.
Taylor laughed and looked around and went to hug Rose and Jasmine. Rose, she could tell was much better. Sienna pulled out a chair for Taylor and served her some of the soup.
TAKEN: Journey to a New Home Page 6