“You’ve gone above and beyond for me, and I really appreciate it.” She smiled. “Would it be out of line to give you a hug?”
He chuckled softly and opened his arms. Celeste threw her arms around his waist and hugged him tight before stepping back. She didn’t want things to be awkward between them, but she felt that she’d found a friend in Thrace.
“I’m going to go and let you visit some more with your mother. If she’d like to visit for a few days, I’d be happy to arrange a room for her.”
“I don’t want to be any trouble,” Celeste’s mom said.
“You haven’t seen your daughter for years. It’s only natural you’d want to spend some time with her,” Thrace said. “I’ll arrange a room for you. When you go downstairs, stop at the front desk, and they’ll give you the key. I’ll let them know you’re up here visiting with Celeste for now.”
Her mom looked at her. “You’re tired, aren’t you?”
Celeste shrugged. Truthfully, she could use a nap, but she didn’t want to waste a moment with her mother.
“What size do you wear now?” her mom asked. “About a six?”
“I think so.”
Her mother eyed her critically. “That bra doesn’t fit. What size is it?”
“A small.”
“I’ll look at the medium sports bras and get an idea of what cup that might be. Let me just…” She dug around in her purse and pulled out a retractable tape measure. Celeste didn’t even want to know why she had that in there unless she’d become a seamstress recently.
Her mother looped it around her to measure the band size for a bra, made a humming noise, then stuck the tape measure back in her purse. After getting a piece of paper and taking note of all Celeste’s new sizes, she scurried after Thrace to do some shopping while Celeste rested.
Once the room was empty, she checked to make sure the door was locked, then went into the bedroom and knocked the sacks onto the floor before collapsing face-first onto the mattress. She kicked off her shoes and curled up as she breathed a sigh of relief. Being around people was new and something she’d have to get used to. For so long it had only been her and Pynder, then Sophie. Now she had people surrounding her and wanting to communicate with her, and Celeste wasn’t sure she was ready for that.
The idea of going to the bar held some appeal. Not the crowded room part, but the alcohol definitely sounded nice. Maybe if she got completely drunk, she’d forget about Sophie for a while. Despite the fact that she was certain her baby was being taken care of, there was still a pain in her heart because they were separated. The Zelthranite council hadn’t seemed sure she would ever be reunited with her child, and she hated to admit they might be right.
Celeste tried to rest, but no matter how tired she was, sleep just wouldn’t come. She slipped her shoes on, grabbed her room key, and headed downstairs to see about one of those limos. She wasn’t sure where she was going, but now that she finally had the ability to leave her quarters, she was anxious to see more of the world she hadn’t been a part of for so long.
There were two limos parked at the curb when she stepped out front of the hotel. Both drivers glanced her way then continued watching the door. If they hadn’t been told about her, she wasn’t sure she could convince them to give her a ride. Her people skills were a little rusty, but she approached the closest driver.
“Excuse me,” she said. “Could I get a ride?”
He frowned down at her. “The limos are for Terran use only. You’ll have to call a cab.”
Celeste chewed her bottom lip. “Thrace said I would have use of the limos. I was just hoping to take a ride and see the city a little.”
He gazed at her in curiosity. “You’re the woman who was taken captive by the Vaadens?”
She nodded.
The driver cleared his throat and opened the back door of his car. “My apologies. I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
“Thank you.”
She slid into the backseat and looked around as the door closed. She’d never ridden in a limo before. Before she’d been captured, she’d led a comfortable life, but not one that gave her enough money to ride around in limos. She hadn’t even ridden in one for her high school prom.
The lights of the city were mesmerizing, and she drank everything in as they slowly prowled around the city. She didn’t have a destination in mind, but when she saw the Stardust bar, she asked the driver to stop.
“This is the Terran owned bar, right?” she asked.
“Yes, miss. It’s owned by Zanar.”
“I think I’d like to get out, but I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
“Take your time. I’ll park at the end of the block.”
She thanked him and got out of the car, tugging at her clothes and wondering if they were nice enough to go to a bar. When she stepped inside, the music made her ears ring, but she was thankful to see there wasn’t a haze of smoke in the room. Celeste approached the bar and felt a little mesmerized by the alien behind the counter. He was tall, easily as tall as Thrace, and built just as well. His hair fell in waves to his shoulders and the light reflecting off it made it look blue-black.
The male smiled as he approached. “What can I get for you?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t had a mixed drink before, but alcohol would be welcome.”
His eyebrows rose. “Well, I’m honored that I get to make the first one. Do you like fruity things?”
She nodded.
“I make something called a Calypso Splasher that I think you might like. It’s not that heavy on alcohol and has a lot of fruit juice in it.”
“That sounds good.”
“Do you want me to run a tab for you?” he asked.
“Um, the council said…” Her cheeks flushed. She hated sounding like a charity case. “The council said my meals and drinks would be covered at any Terran owned facilities.”
Understanding lit his eyes. “You’re the one who was recently returned to Earth from Vaaden. Why don’t you come have a seat at the end of the bar so I can make sure you aren’t bothered?”
She looked at the empty stool at the far end and made her way toward it. As she slid onto the seat, she realized that it was a little quieter on this end of the bar. Her ears were going to need a break before long unless they turned down the music. She wasn’t used to much noise, and her senses were on overload in the Stardust.
The bartender slid a drink in front of her with a smile. “Can I get you anything else? Are you hungry? The kitchen is still open, and my cook makes a mean cheeseburger.”
Her stomach rumbled. “That sounds really good if you’re sure it’s no trouble.”
“No trouble at all.” He winked at her and went to the window behind by the bar to place her order.
Even though he hadn’t introduced himself, she wondered if he was the owner, Zanar. He seemed friendly, and she hoped she’d get to visit with him some more. If there was one thing she could use right now, it was friends. Celeste finished her drink, and as Zanar put her plate in front of her, he gave her a second Calypso Splasher. The alcohol was making her feel a little lightheaded, and she knew that two was going to be her limit.
The music was starting to make her head pound, or maybe the alcohol was partly to blame. Either way, she knew she couldn’t stay much longer. True to his word, Zanar had kept the men away from her, for which she was very grateful. The last thing she wanted to deal with were drunks trying to hit on her. When she finished her meal and her drink she waved to Zanar.
“Heading out already?” he asked.
“The noise is a little much for me. I’m not used to being around people or music. It’s been a long time since I’ve even heard music.”
He nodded. “I can turn the music down, but it will still be pretty loud in here. Give me a minute, and I’ll walk you out. I’m assuming there’s a limo waiting for you?”
“Yes. The driver said he’d park down the street.”
“Not that this is a b
ad part of town, but I’d feel better if you’d let me walk you to the limo.”
“Thank you. But can you leave the bar?”
“I’ll get my cook to keep an eye on the place.”
He stepped over to the window behind the bar and spoke with a man in a white apron. When he returned, he came to the end of the bar and helped her off the stool, curving an arm around her waist as he led her through the crowd and out onto the sidewalk. It felt nice having his arm around her. Tingles shot through her, something she hadn’t felt before, not even with Pynder. She’d grown to care for Pynder, maybe even love him on some level, but she’d never felt so aware of him as she was of Zanar.
“I never officially introduced myself,” he said. “I’m Zanar. And you’re Celeste, right?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Are you staying at the hotel?”
She nodded.
“Would it be presumptuous of me to ask you out for breakfast tomorrow?”
Celeste smiled up at him. “I think I’d like that.”
Zanar returned her smile and stopped beside the limo. The driver was already out and had the back door open.
“Until the morning then.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it before handing her into the waiting car.
Celeste felt warmed from her head to her toes as she slid into the car. Zanar was a charmer, to be sure. A pang hit her that she was out having a nice time while her daughter was God knew how far away from her. She wanted Sophie back, but if Councilman Borgoz was to be believed, then she needed to assimilate into human life again, and that meant making friends, getting a job, and learning to take care of herself. She still felt guilty for enjoying her time at the Stardust when Sophie was probably scared and wondering where her mom was. Or did Sophie miss her at all? Her daughter was still so small Celeste worried that it wouldn’t take long for Sophie to completely forget about her. If that happened, would it be kinder to leave her with her grandparents?
Celeste felt sick, and she didn’t know much was due to her thoughts and how much was the alcohol. When they got back to the hotel, she went straight to her room and changed into pajamas before falling face first onto the bed. She didn’t even bother pulling the covers over her legs before she went to sleep, her thoughts troubled.
Chapter Three
Zanar had yet to fall asleep. He’d shut down the bar around three o’clock that morning, had cleaned up and balanced the cash drawer before locking the money into the safe, and two hours later he had been home. And pacing. When the council had mentioned there was a human who was to be given meals and drinks on the council’s dime, it had piqued Zanar’s curiosity. And then he’d met her. Celeste was not what he’d been expecting. For someone who had been captured by the Vaadens, she seemed to be doing well. He’d heard of their barbaric practices when it came to females, and he’d worried she might be damaged.
Of course, just because she looked well put together didn’t mean that she wasn’t suffering from her time with the Vaadens. He didn’t know the entire story, but something must have happened for her to be returned to Earth. Zanar had never heard of the Vaadens returning anyone before. He was curious about her time with them, but didn’t want to bring up bad memories by asking.
The clock on the wall showed it was nearly seven a.m. If he was going to take Celeste to breakfast, he needed to shower and change. Zanar kicked off his boots and stripped out of his clothes, dropping everything on his bedroom floor. In the bathroom, he started the shower, waiting until steam billowed out of the stall before he stepped under the spray. He liked his showers hot enough to make his skin a dark purple. He lathered and conditioned his hair before dousing himself with the body wash human females seemed to like so much. He supposed the scent was pleasing enough, but he found that he preferred natural scents like eucalyptus and mint better.
His hand fisted his cock, which had remained semi-hard since meeting Celeste. He pumped up and down his shaft, bracing a hand on the wall and spreading his legs a little. Zanar wasn’t a stranger to pleasing himself, but this time it was different. This time there was a pair of bewitching blue eyes and honey-colored hair filling his mind as he stroked himself off. His balls tingled with his impending release as his hips thrust in time with his hand. With a groan, he found his release, his cum splashing the shower wall. He panted for breath and blinked the water out of his eyes as his heart raced out of control. If he got this excited fucking his own hand while thinking of Celeste, what would it be like to have her in his bed? With some luck, maybe he’d find out one day.
Zanar finished his shower, dried off, and pulled on clean jeans and a black T-shirt. After he put his boots back on and stuck his wallet in his back pocket, he grabbed his keys off the dresser and went out to the truck parked in the driveway. He didn’t technically have a driver’s license as he wasn’t a citizen of this world, but no one ever questioned his ability to drive the vehicle he’d purchased. Compared to a spacecraft, a truck was easy enough to figure out.
The hotel was on the other side of town from his home, but there was little to no morning traffic. He got there fifteen minutes after leaving his house and parked near the front door so Celeste wouldn’t have to walk far. Getting out, he hit the door lock before slamming it shut and walking briskly through the entrance of the hotel. He hadn’t thought to ask about her room number last night, and now he wished he had. Zanar went to the front desk and waited for the woman to get off the phone.
Her eyes lit up when she saw him. “May I help you with something?”
The way her gaze lingered on his chest made him think she’d like to help him out of his clothes. She wouldn’t be the first human to offer since he’d moved to Earth and opened the Stardust. At first, he’d taken them up on the offers, but it had been months since he’d been with anyone. The one-night stands just left him feeling empty. He didn’t want meaningless sex. He wanted a mate.
“There’s a young woman staying here. The council is paying for it. Her name is Celeste.”
She looked disappointed. “And you’re here to pick her up?”
“Yes, but I didn’t get the room number.”
“I should call her room and let her know you’re here. We normally don’t give out that information, but since you’re a Terran, I don’t see the harm.” She smiled. “Give me a moment.”
She clicked away on the keyboard and then told him Celeste’s room number.
Zanar took the elevator to her floor and knocked on her door. She opened it, looking disheveled and completely adorable. If he had to guess, he’d woken her up. Maybe when he’d asked her to breakfast, he should have specified a time.
“Zanar?” she asked sleepily, rubbing her eyes. “Is it time for breakfast already?”
“It’s around eight o’clock. If you need more time, I can come back in an hour.”
She shook her head. “Just let me take a quick shower and throw on something clean. Um. My mother was supposed to shop for me last night. Do I have time to call her and see what she found?”
“Take as much time as you want. I can wait in the lobby.”
She reached out and grasped his hand, tugging him into her room.
“Don’t be silly. You can watch TV while I get ready if you want.”
Being in her room made him want things he shouldn’t want. After all, he had no business thinking of Celeste naked in the shower or wondering what side of the bed she slept on. She’d been through so much already -- the last thing she needed was him lusting after her. The council’s memo about Celeste had been brief, but Zanar knew about Vaaden practices of keeping sex slaves. He hoped that they had been kind to Celeste, but he knew that wasn’t always the case. Going to war with the Vaadens wasn’t smart, or they would have already liberated the slaves kept there. Not that it would stop the Vaadens from procuring more.
He tried not to listen as she spoke with her mother and hoped he didn’t seem as twitchy as he felt when she sat on the sofa near him. He wanted to reach out and touch her,
but knew they were still strangers. It wasn’t his place to hold her hand, or see if her hair felt as soft as it looked. Zanar wanted to get to know Celeste, but he wasn’t sure how to start a conversation with her.
She studied him, and he felt his cheeks warm under her intense perusal. Did she find him lacking? After she’d suffered at the hands of aliens, did he even have a chance with her? Maybe he should have asked the council more about Celeste before he came to see her this morning. He’d never felt so lacking before.
“Why did you ask me to breakfast?” she asked softly. “I’d imagine you could have any woman you wanted, so what prompted you to ask me out?”
“You’re beautiful, Celeste, you have to know that. And I was intrigued by you. I’d like to learn more about you and see where things go.”
“I’m a broken woman, Zanar. You could do so much better. Did the council tell you anything about me?”
He shook his head.
“I was kept as a slave on Vaaden for five years, with Pynder. But then he died defending me and his parents shipped me back home. Just not before they ripped my six-month-old daughter from my arms. I want my Sophie back, but I don’t even know if that’s possible. Your council seems to think I need to re-establish myself here before I even try.”
Wow. She was a mom, and they’d taken her baby from her? He knew the Vaadens could be assholes, but he’d never understood how much until just now. He couldn’t imagine keeping a kid from her only living parent.
“Is the council helping you get Sophie back?” Zanar asked.
“Your Councilor Borgoz said he would see what he could do, but he said I need to be gainfully employed, with a home, and only then would I have a fighting chance to get Sophie back. I’ve been gone five years. Who’s going to employ me? I have no marketable skills at this point unless I want to become a hooker.”
“So, you’ve been gone five years from Earth?” he asked.
Celeste and the Alien Bartender (Intergalactic Brides 8) Page 3