It took thirty minutes but she finally pulled up enough tangles to call the game. She had the majority and that meant that she had won.
"I call tangle.” With a shout of laughter, she started to reach for the eight hundred credits from the middle of the table. A sweaty paw gripped around her arm.
"Cheat! Hu-man female cheat,” Brownie said in broken Standard.
Nah'Dara tried to pull her arm back, but he was a lot stronger than she realized. Drinking or not, that did not seem to deaden their strength.
"I didn't cheat. My winnings were fair and you know it.” A crowd began to form around the table.
"Winning not fair! Me take you instead.” The saliva dripped from his mouth in large foamy globs. The Nakot roughly grabbed her breast with a meaty hand. Nah'Dara slapped it away.
"No, hu-man is mine,” Blackie began to reach for her, but was stopped short by Blondie.
"No, mine.” She felt like a piece of rope. She wanted to win credits, not be the tugging piece between two Nakot hell-bent on sexual play.
Something inside Eriq snapped. Something primal. He did not understand but when he saw the Nakot grab Nah'Dara by the arm and then by the breast. He wanted to rip the humanoid's head off. He stilled himself by a thin strap of self-restraint as he marked his target. That one, he glared at the brown one that tugged his woman between the other, would pay. Dearly.
A sudden sensation of rage intensified to the point that she felt the need to search the crowd and when she found those eyes, everything seemed to melt away.
Near the door sat LoMoq at a small table with the face of a god.
His large golden brown hand sat on his cheek propping up his head as if he had not a care in the universe. His shoulder length, raven hair, bound back by a simple thong, blew in the cool wind from the door. His fierce silvery eyes locked to hers. She had never seen a man that looked like sin in a red hand basket.
The man was huge. Larger than when she first met him. When he flexed the large muscles in his arms, it looked like rolling plains of metal wrapped tight in golden brown skin.
Oh, yeah, she thought naughtily. He was sin.
Her pulse quickened in a matter of seconds. Her breath hitched in her chest. LoMoq was here! She could feel him in her mind whispering her name.
Nahni.
No! Un-freaking-believable! He had found her. She pushed him back with her own mind, putting up her walls. She began to push against the Nakot, but it was like pushing against magna-steel.
Her legs, traitorous things, were locked in place, betraying her will to flee. Nah'Dara stood there, suddenly quaking, as the rogue stood walking towards them, never for once taking his predator's eyes away from her. He never smiled, never showing even a smidge of emotion.
Utterly intimidated, she tried again to push against Brownie. He looked down at her with a feral smile that showed puny jiggered yellow teeth. He lowered his snout to her. At the last moment, she averted her head as his cold snout brushed the side of her face.
Her eyes met LoMoq's. Nah'Dara felt his rage course through her, saw his silver eyes narrow and locked her in his intense gaze. She wanted to run to him and away from him at the same time. By the way he was looking at her with pure possession, she wanted to shrink under the nearest rock and hide.
Fear leapt into her chest. Seeing LoMoq approaching, Brownie glowered at him. Was he coming to her rescue?
"Let her go.” His voice was filled with deadly hypnotic calm. Nah'Dara suppressed a shiver.
"Hu-man is mine! You no have."
"She's not yours. She's mine.” His voice filled with possession, wrapping around her.
Slurring in speech, Brownie began to curse in his full tongue language. He pushed Nah'Dara away, only to be grabbed by Blondie. Though Brownie had a drunken swagger about him, his reflexes were as fast as if he were sober. LoMoq never saw the Nakot as he reared back and slugged him in the jaw.
He fell back at the strength of the blow. Nah'Dara, taking advantage of the distraction, took her fight stick that was strapped to her leg and pushed the activation button. Immediately the stick expanded. She swung it and knocked Blondie across the face. He did not budge. Instead, he grabbed the stick while it was still in her grasp and pulled her to him. Spirit, his breath stunk as he growled in her face.
"You pay for that, hu-man."
Oh, shit, her mind rang. Using what her father and brother told her, she reared her head back, connecting it with Blondie's chin. The sharp pain in her head was nothing compared to what those Nakot had in mind for her.
As Blondie howled in pain, Nah'Dara, still dazed from connecting skulls, gave him a generous dose of her knee to his already swollen groin. Blondie dropped to the floor, his hand grabbing his genitals in the sign of wounded pride.
Nah'Dara took her leave, quickly making sure she grabbed the forgotten credit chips on the table and stuffed them in her shirt. She watched impressed that LoMoq held his own with one Nakot, but now Blackie had joined in sending hard blows to LoMoq's ribs.
It seemed unfair to back down from a fight. She was never one to back down from one, but this was a different circumstance. After all, he had come to her aid. Guilt washed over her, but she pushed it back fiercely.
Pffft ... Who cares, she thought as she pushed her way through the crowd.
Feeling guilty, she looked back, then. To her horror, LoMoq threw the Nakot from him, rubbing his jaw as he charged after her. She would have fought, but she would do it another day. Right now she just did not want to go back home.
Spirit, she was dizzy. Something was happening to her. Her world swam around her, not to mention her head furiously ached. She pushed on. She had to get back to her ship. It was the only way that she would be able to escape LoMoq. It was dark on this side of the small city and the alley was secluded. However, violet light from the moon lit her way to the forest.
As Nah'Dara headed towards her ship concealed in by the darkness of the Nefti Forest, she watched for any sign of him.
Nothing.
It was as if he had disappeared into the night like the dark fog surrounding the forest. She could still hear him but he was not in sight. His footsteps ever so slow. She quickened her pace into a run, sprinting around trees, through the fog that had suddenly covered the forest floor.
Her freedom could not end like this. Being chased by the man she was supposed to marry, in the darkness of the forest, on a planet she was forbidden by her uncle to even talk about. No, this could not be.
I will not let it happen. She would keep running until she ran into the hull of the ship it self!
Her chest grew tighter with every passing breath. Her vision was tunneling beyond her peripherals. Nah'Dara felt the overwhelming need to lie down and sleep, but she did not dare. Not with him tightly on her heels. It was getting harder and harder to keep her eyes open, each breath slower then before, not as forthcoming as the last.
As she rounded the last tree finally finding the ship dock, she toppled over in front of the large winding wood trunk. Her vision blurring, she finally realized why she could not find her ship. It was gone. The docking clap imprints were still there in the dirt, but there was no sign of it.
A wave of fear suddenly gripped her sending the air from her chest. Her chest refused to open. Her vision wavered as she doubled over.
Opening her eyes to the darkness of the forest top, she dazedly looked up at him, angry that she had fallen prey to him. He was tall, his hair tied back away from his face. The glorious light violet moon chose that moment to break through the clouds giving him an unholy silhouette, making his entire being grow taller, more threatening.
Nah'Dara could feel the dark edges of unconsciousness come closer, threatening to take her under. Her only defiance was to try to stay awake long enough to fight.
LoMoq kneeled down beside her, not touching her, but staring all the while as if he wanted to watch her squirm. Her heart slowed dramatically. It was impossible to stay awake any longer. With her last defia
nt breath, she was able to mutter one word.
"Noooooo.... “She fell into the abyss of unconsciousness.
* * * *
Eriq's dark beauty lay at his feet almost covered by the darkness. His anger had ebbed slightly. However, when he saw the Nakot threaten her, grabbing her fiercely, his anger turned into something greater, more primal. No one dared touch his woman. He would see them dead first, that was his silent vow.
She was brave and feisty, but she had been foolish to put herself in danger. She was a very clever woman. Nothing like he had ever seen. He had to hand it to her. He rubbed his jaw to ease the stinging. She had a lot of guts, taking advantage of his distraction.
The drug he handed the bartender had taken to her faster than he expected. The effects gave away to tale-tale signs of her loss of strength. He smiled at his triumph. As he bent lower to pick her up from the forest floor, the last of her bravery showed through. Her eyes, piercing green eyes, looked upon him with frightened petrified fear as they closed giving in to the drug that coursed through her system. He could still sense the fear that radiated through her.
Placing his hand behind her neck and the other under her round bottom, he pulled her into his arms with little effort. Her body possessed the curves of a woman with a lot of sex appeal, but had the grace of a warrior; dark, exotic, sensual.
There was no sense taking the long walk back to the city risking everyone seeing whom he was carrying.
"Computer.” The personal communicator attached to his arm chirped. “Transporting two to the ship.” The communicator chirped with compliance. The particles began to over take them on the subatomic level surrounding them both in a shimmer of blue light. He smiled as he shifted into the darkness with the infamous Lady Nah'Dara in his arms.
Once on his ship, the Nadonnis, Eriq was greeted with a chirping from the COMM.
"You have a communication from Lord Trenton Lehr.” Eriq blew out a breath in aggravation.
Spirit, can't I get settled first?
"Put it through to my quarters,” he commanded as he walked to his quarters.
The small corridor winded until he reached his quarters door. It slid away revealing his large bed, a small nightstand, and one chair. The only light given off was from the lavatory, which is how he liked it. He never spent a long time on this ship. His time was always spent elsewhere. Fighting battles for the Altarians, securing the lines between his world and the Cylians kept him very busy. He kept the ship as a just in case. It was the fastest ship in the fleet.
Eriq lowered himself to the bed placing her down with ease. She groaned as he fixed her position, but she never opened her eyes. He watched as her chest still heaved with each breath pushing her ample breast up and down.
His eyes roamed over her body taking in the swell of her breast. The lush curves accented by the silver jumpsuit. He wanted nothing but to run his hands down her long legs filling them with the softness of her rump. He remembered the feel of that round ass in her hands as he held her.
He wondered if those beautiful breasts were as dark as the dark chocolate skin of her face just as soft, or if her nipples were dark exotic tips that he could run his tongue over. He wanted to feel those thick legs around him locking at his waist as he pushed deep inside her.
Oh, that would be heaven.
Eriq took a deep, shuddering breath, letting the air from that environmental system fill his lungs. It had been too long since he had a woman. The sudden strain against his zipper was evidence enough.
Taking her large cloak, he tossed it over the back of the chair using the silver blanket to cover her form, putting an end to his heated thoughts. After having her settled, Eriq stood stretching his back.
"Computer, release the communication.” The computer chirped in compliance and a second later, Lord Trenton's voice boomed through the ships speakers.
"It's about time, LoMoq. I was starting to get worried."
"There was nothing to worry about. I have taken care of my end of the deal.” He heard Trenton's sigh.
"So you have her? Spirit, I hope she wasn't any trouble.” He looked back at her sleeping body. A stray thought that he needed to place her in binders crossed his mind.
"Not at all."
"Your General Caegan, tracked the transporter my niece used and is on his way back with it, correct?"
"Yes,” he said as he ran his finger through his hair. What was he thinking when he let his friend go and leave him with this dangerously beautiful woman?
"How long will it take you to reach Habias Prime?"
"Six days in hyper."
"Good. I shall see you then. Thank you, Great Prince."
"Not a problem.” The communication ended with a chirp from the Communication system.
Eriq rubbed his eyes. It had been a long time since he slept. Three days exactly, he planned to get as much sleep as he could before he wakes. With this beautiful troublemaker in his bed, he doubted that he was going to get any rest at all. Taking another blanket from one of the drawers, he walked to the chair planting himself in it.
Eriq continued to stare at her as she slept. Dangerous, crossed his mind. He rose from the chair walking to her. He pulled back the cover and there on her left leg was a compact capsule size fighting stick secured in its holder. Pulling the straps loose, he pulled the fighting stick with gentle ease. Nah'Dara never stirred. He placed it in one of the drawers beside him before walking back to the chair.
"Computer, set a course for Habias Prime. Maximum Hyper-drive.” The computer chirped in compliance as he felt the pull of the engines as it entered hyper-drive. The soothing hum of the engines lulled him to fretful and erotic dreams.
Chapter 7
Nah'Dara opened her eyes. Her head spun violently. Where in the hell was she? Her limbs felt like million ton weights were tied to them. She did not dare move her head afraid it may fall off. She moved slowly raising her head looking around the room. It was darkly lit, with only the lava giving off light.
She shook her head, rubbing the bridge of her nose desperately trying to clear her vision. The colors ran together briefly then cleared. She was not alone. The prickly hairs at the back of her neck stood on end at her dulled awareness.
On the other side of the room, she heard the faint huff of breathing. It sounded so close. She sat forward to get a better look around. She was no longer on Dinti Rixon, but in the quarters of a vessel. The window portal displayed the dark vast of space and the stars that shot past. She looked down to see she was covered with a silver blanket.
Slowly, Nah'Dara stood on unsteady legs, almost falling on her face, letting the blanket fall to the floor. The room spun violently, caused her to reach out.
Instead of her hand making contact with the arm of the chair next to the bed, her fingers ended up wrapping around a large limb of sculpted muscle. The skin was warm and smooth against the palm of her hand.
Her breath caught in her chest.
LoMoq?
A feeling of electricity shot up her arm. The same feeling she felt the night of the gala. She stopped. Gently, she released the limb to look down.
It was him!
His dark hair covered his face, but she could definitely see the golden brown color of his skin. His large chest moved up and down with each even, deep breath. His arms were long and large, very well sculpted, and by the feel of them, they were like Trillium steel. By the look of them, there would be no problem overpowering her. His broad chest was covered with a black knit T that the large bulge of his muscles seemed to push through. She could see the well-sculpted muscles of his legs through the black leather of his pants.
Slowly and gently, Nah'Dara stepped away and pried her eyes from his legs. She was trapped in the den with a sleeping Nymali lion.
Lions never take to kindly their human dinners.
She wanted to get as far away from him as possible. No, what she needed was a weapon.
Fear climbed from the pit of her stomach, building, constricting in the midd
le of her chest. Her breath came in short, shallow pants. Still under the effects of the drug, Nah'Dara backed away until she bumped against the door.
The doors slid away, but as she turned to walk through it, two distinctly large arms wrapped around her waist, hoisting her off the ground pulling her close to a rippled wall of muscle.
Screaming and thrashing, Nah'Dara kicked her feet hitting a leg, but he gave not even a grunt. She felt the muscles against her back. Everything spun violent still as she thrashed him. She tried to pry herself free, but the arm around her tightened, making her effort to breathe a battle.
As a reflex, she reared back her head colliding with his. The sicken thud of bone hitting bone sounded throughout the cabin. He dropped her clutching his head. She did the same.
That was smart. The second time tonight. I have to stop doing that.
The stars danced dizzily around her vision. Groaning, she tried to make her way around the over-grown ox, when he pulled her to him again. This time making sure that his head was close to hers.
"Don't. Do that. Again."
She gasped. Her breath hitched in her chest. His voice, a low deep growl, mesmerized her. Her mind was so foggy now. Nah'Dara stopped her effort to run.
As if I could.
LoMoq held her with the force of a magna-steel clamp. Her knees knocked violently as he held her.
"D-Don't h-hurt me,” she whispered. Since when did she ever cower?
Since this guy was three times my size—that's when.
She panted from exertion. Securing her with one large hand, LoMoq pressed the code to lock the door making sure that she did not escape again. He turned her effortlessly in his arms.
LoMoq crowed her against the door. His big body acted as a wall with his arms on each side of her head. However, it was possible for a man to be that devilishly handsome it was beyond her.
Get a grip, Nah'Dara. You're his prisoner.
Quicksilver eyes narrowed on her sending a shiver down her spine. His face was only inches from hers. She tried desperately not to lick her lips.
Not to mention wanting to taste those full manly handsome lips of his.
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