“Hmm.” Krystal bit her lip, seeming to think about it, and then grinned. “Well, I just know. He’s so handsome, and when he smiles at me I giggle a lot.”
“Giggle?”
“Just feel really feminine.”
“Oh.” Giggle and feminine? Talia lowered her gaze. She had never had that reaction when she was near Ryder. But there was one thing. “When he…when he kisses you do you feel flutters in your stomach?”
There was a longer pause this time. “Well, I know there will be eventually. We’ve only kissed but a few times, so it is still a bit awkward.”
Talia glanced again at Krystal, but the woman was staring out the window. “I have been given permission to take you outside twice a day. Perhaps later you would like to go?”
“Oh…yes.” Tears flooded her eyes, and she cursed herself for the show of weakness. But the idea of being outside, able to breathe in the atmosphere of the planet, took her breath away.
Krystal gave a small smile. “I will confess. I may use our time outside to meet up quickly with Trevon.”
“All right.” Talia would have agreed to anything to go outside. Though she did worry a bit about Krystal’s impulsiveness.
“Well, finish up with your breakfast and get dressed.” Krystal patted her hand. “I shall return in about an hour.”
Talia waited until the other woman left and then dug into the food with new enthusiasm. Gods, she was going to go outside! Outside! With a squeal of excitement, she set down her teacup and went to inspect the clothes that had been left for her in the closet.
She swallowed hard and ran her fingers over the fabric of what appeared to be a dress. Truly the state of dress on this planet was much more relaxed than back home. She finally lifted a cerulean blue silk dress that appeared to at least go almost to her knees.
She sighed and then tugged the dress off the hook to get changed.
8
R yder exited the training facility, showered and on a mission. He would see Talia this morning. Would make her understand how valuable the information she held was. And he’d realized the most obvious way to gain her cooperation was to show her the world outside. Let her see the people of his planet.
He neared her chamber and spotted Krystal dialing in the code.
“Good morning, little sister. What are your intentions with the prisoner this morning?”
Krystal spun around, guilt flittering across her face before she turned on her usual big smile. She was attired in a dress that displayed more flesh than what was covered, and her perfume lingered heavy in the air.
“Hello, Ryder. I was going to take Talia out for a walk. You did give her permission to leave the building escorted twice a day.”
“Hmm. So I did.” Krystal was up to something, likely would be attempting to see Trevon Andrews. He narrowed his eyes. “Tell you what. Why don’t you let me escort her on this walk?”
Her eyes widened, and then annoyance flickered in her gaze. “Oh, but I already—”
“Actually, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like you to assist Dillon in loading one of the cargo crafts for its upcoming departure. He’s over in sector ten.”
Krystal’s mouth tightened; her displeasure was obvious. “If that is what you wish.”
“Thank you, kid.” Ryder dropped a kiss on her forehead and then patted her shoulder, sending her on her way.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Control . He needed to be in absolute control when he walked into Talia’s room. He opened his eyes and typed in the code that would open the door.
The computer beeped its appreciation and then the door swung open. He stepped inside, glancing around the room. His blood began to pound when he didn’t immediately see her.
“Give me one moment, Krystal.” Her voice rang out from the bathing chamber. “I am attempting to comb my hair.”
The image of the red silky strands of hair had him crossing the room to the bathing chamber. He stepped into the doorway.
“Though it sounds absurd, I have never combed my own hair—” Her gaze lifted and caught his in the mirror. The brush in her hand fell with a loud thud to the counter, and the muscles in her throat worked as she swallowed hard. “I thought…Krystal was to escort me outside for a brief period.”
He took a deep breath, his chest feeling strangely tight. Gods, she was beautiful. Her hair was a long wave of fire against creamy skin. Her shoulders were bare and the top of her breasts swelled above the silky fabric of her dress. His gaze moved lower, to where the dress hugged a small waist before flaring over her hips and ending just above her knees. Shapely calves ended in a pair of laced leather sandals.
“Plans have changed.” His words came out hoarse. His jaw clenched as he stepped completely into the bathing chamber. So much for control.
Her eyes widened when he came right up behind her, closing in until there were just a few inches separating them.
He reached out and lifted a silken strand, rubbing its softness between two fingers. Pulling her hair off her neck, he settled it over one shoulder, baring the graceful curve of her neck to him.
Leaning down he pressed his lips against her nape, inhaling the smell of soap and woman. Her body trembled beneath his lips, and he watched as her hands gripped the edge of the counter.
Biting back a groan, he reached past her and picked up the brush off the counter.
“Why have you never combed your own hair?” He brought the brush to her scalp and pulled it through the strands.
“I was never allowed to. I had an assistant who did that for me.” She curled her fingers around his wrist and he met her gaze in the mirror again. “There is no need to do this for me, Ryder. I’m sure the process is quite simple.”
“It is not a chore but a pleasure for me,” he murmured, watching as each stroke made her hair more sleek and shiny.
She released his wrist, though obviously reluctantly, and allowed him to finish the task.
He continued to move the brush through her hair, waiting until the tension had eased from her body before asking, “Why will you not confess what you know about the Governing Council, Talia?”
Her shoulders slumped a bit and her gaze lowered. “Because your planet is full of barbaric heathens. You would attack us and would bring nothing but pain and misery to a planet that already suffers.”
Ryder frowned. How misguided she was, perhaps brainwashed from years of being under the Council’s influence. He set the brush onto the counter once more and gripped her shoulders, turning her to face him.
“You truly believe that?”
Her eyes flashed with defiance, and yet maybe also uncertainty. “Of course. I have heard the stories—”
“From whom, the Council?” He reached out to trace the throbbing pulse in her throat.
“Yes.” Another visible tremble traveled through her body and her next breath was ragged. “Please, Ryder. No…”
“No?” He cupped her cheek, running his thumb over the mouth that tantalized him.
“Do not take my body for your own pleasure again,” she whispered.
He ran his gaze over her once more. Her body had awakened in the past few minutes, her nipples were hard and outlined against the blue fabric of the dress.
“For my pleasure, princess?”
He slid his thumb between her lips, until it became moist in her mouth. “Can you honestly say that you experienced no pleasure last night?”
He knew she’d been pleasured, even if she would deny it now. Their eyes locked, and he recognized the exact moment her expression changed from wariness to desire. She closed her eyes. Her only response was the tip of her tongue stroking against the pad of his thumb.
His cock hardened and a groan traveled up his throat. He had plans for her this morning. Plans to make her confess while keeping his desire for her under control. Perhaps there was a way to do both. Relax her and gain her trust.
“Seeing as you believe yourself not to have been pleasured last night…” His hands moved to her waist and he lifted her, ignoring her startled gasp as he set her on the counter. “I will remedy that this morning.”
He pushed her knees apart and stepped between her thighs, sliding his hand under her dress to stroke her cunt. She was smooth, hot, and already drenched with cream.
He slid two fingers between her labia, scissoring his fingers and opening her to him. The musky smell of her desire filled the room as her slick juices coated his fingers.
She gave a loud moan, but pressed her palms against his chest, her gaze searching his. “Ryder, this does not solve anything.”
“Does it not?” He licked his middle finger on his other hand and then brought it between her legs to rub against her clit.
“Oh…” Her eyes closed and her hips lifted off the counter.
“Do you want me to stop?” He rotated his finger against the kernel of swollen flesh.
She moaned again. Her hands ceased in pushing him away and instead clutched his shirt. “I hate you for this,” she choked out. “But I’ll hate you more if you stop.”
His blood pounded in triumph and he smiled, pushing two fingers into her humid cunt. Gods, she was so hot and wet. His cock pressed against the fastening of his trousers and he gritted his teeth. For her, this is for her .
He kept one finger on her clit, rubbing steadily while he began to slowly finger fuck her.
She leaned into him, wrapping her legs around his waist as he moved his fingers in and out of her hot cunt. He curled his fingers, rubbing against the sensitive spot inside her.
“Ryder.” She gasped and jerked his shirt, pulling his head down to hers.
He answered her plea and closed his mouth over her parted lips, thrusting his tongue into the sweet moist cavern. Her tongue moved against his almost hesitantly, as if kissing was a novelty for her.
He moved his fingers faster, deeper into her, mimicking the thrusting of his tongue in her mouth. Encouraged by her husky groans, he added pressure to her clit.
Her thighs tightened around him and she pulled her mouth from his to cry out. Cream surrounded his fingers as she climaxed and her nails nearly pierced his shirt as they clawed at his chest.
She closed her eyes, her breasts rising and falling with each rapid breath she took.
He pulled his fingers out of her channel and cupped her pussy, smoothing his thumb over the silky lips of her cunt.
“Are you ready to go for that walk?”
Her eyes opened and she blinked in confusion. “Walk? You don’t need to…?” Her gaze lowered to the crotch of his pants.
“You need not worry about me now.” He pulled her dress back down over her hips and then lifted her off the counter.
Her legs buckled and he slipped an arm around her waist to steady her.
“But I don’t understand. Do you not want—”
He brushed his mouth against hers, cutting off her prattle. She clutched his shoulders and made the sweetest little moan. He ran his tongue over her bottom lip, before slipping it inside her mouth to rub against hers. His arms tightened around her, and he pulled her flush against him. Her full breasts crushed against his chest and his erection pressed into the softness of her belly.
He brushed his mouth over hers one more time, before he lifted his head.
“Yes, Talia, I want . However, the plan for the morning was to take you for a walk, and I have enough control that I will honor that.”
Her expression was a mixture of confusion and surprise, and his heart twisted a bit. Gods, the way she must have been treated on Zortou.
He smoothed her hair down her back and murmured, “Let us go outside and we will talk further.”
Talia stared at him, unsure what to make of this change in his behavior. It made no sense. He was a different man this morning. Realizing he was waiting for her to respond, she nodded. “Thank you.”
He held out his hand and she glanced down at it, before placing her palm in his. His long fingers curled around her hand and he turned, leading her toward the door.
They moved into the hallway and immediately encountered another man in uniform.
“Good morning, Daniels.” Ryder paused in his stride. “How is the baby today? Feeling any better?”
The man paused in his brisk stride, his mouth curving into a broad smile.
“Oh, she is good. Marie telemessaged me an hour ago and told me she was eating again. Thank you, sir.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Ryder nodded. “Have a good day and say hello to Marie.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Talia glanced up at Ryder. He had such familiarity with a soldier of lesser rank. Such kindness. Was it all a ruse?
They approached a series of glass doors, and he began to punch in the code. She stared outside at the strange trees and flowers—some form of a garden—and her chest tightened.
There was a series of beeps and then the doors swung open. Warm air brushed against her face and she gasped in the outside air, gripping Ryder’s hand tighter.
He glanced over at her, his brows drawn together as he led her the few steps that took her outside the building.
Her legs shook with each step they made. Oh gods. She was outside. Tears welled in her eyes and the bizarre urge to laugh caught in her throat.
She lifted her gaze to the sky. It was blue with fat white clouds in it. Her head shook as she glanced around. So different, so vastly different from Zortou.
“You appear overwhelmed, Talia. You have only been imprisoned for less than two days.”
Ryder’s words put everything into perspective. She lowered her gaze to the path they walked upon.
“I have been imprisoned since the day I was born.” She shouldn’t have said the words, but they’d been unstoppable on her tongue.
At his questioning glance, she continued. “I was allowed outside the Council’s headquarters once…when I was eight years of age.” She breathed in the fresh air, her diaphragm expanding as air filled her lungs. The smell of flowers was rich all around them. “And it was nothing like your planet.”
His grip on her hand tightened. “You were not allowed outside the building?”
“No.”
“Never?”
“Only that one time.” She hesitated. “The air was…not safe to breathe for long periods of time. When you looked up, the sky was not blue as it is here. It was dark, nearly black, and thick with pollution. They were not willing to risk any contamination to my body.”
“Yes. I’m aware of the environment your planet existed in. It was brought on by the current Council.”
“Yes.” She lowered her
gaze.
“So you understand why they would want to attack Belton?” he asked. “To take over our home?”
Guilt clawed in her gut and she bit her lip. “But you are—”
“Barbaric heathens? So you’ve said, Talia.” He stopped and turned her to face him, cupping her chin and tilting her head until she met his gaze. “Are you so sure?”
The intensity of his gaze rendered her speechless. No, she wasn’t sure. She didn’t know what was real and what wasn’t anymore.
“Do not answer that yet.” He released her and again took her hand. “Come, let us walk.”
They continued along the path. It wound through green hills that were covered with flowers and trees of all varieties. She could not stop breathing in appreciative gasps of the crisp air.
Soon they moved down a hill that led into a small park. Talia stumbled, her mouth parting in surprise.
Children rode a good fifty feet in the air on some kind of flying bicycle, while their mothers watched from the ground and chatted with each other.
“There are children here,” Talia murmured in disbelief, her eyes wide as she drank in the sight. “I have not seen a child since…My generation was the last of the children on Zortou. There will be no more.”
Ryder glanced down at her, his expression dark and unreadable. “You are not able to have children?”
She gave a small shrug, though her stomach rolled. “I am able, I suppose, but a Rosabelle is kept on a strict injection schedule that would prevent us from being impregnated.”
His eyes narrowed. “And why is that?”
“When they realized that women had ceased birthing girl babies, it became a problem. Already there were just a handful of women and numerous men.” Her throat tightened.
She’d known for quite some time she would never be a mother, had eventually buried the heartache deep within her. Her glance locked again on the mothers at the play area and her lips trembled. To see what could have been made that wall around the pain crack just a bit.
Take Me Page 10