by Marly Chance
Sharon backed away and sat down hard on the bed. Her image stayed in her mind. She was that woman. Maybe she had always been that woman, and it had taken Liken to make her see it. He had ripped her out of her safe little world and stripped away that protective outer shell that she presented to everyone around her.
She had always thought of herself as a cautious woman who was content to lead a rather routine life. She was everyone’s dependable friend, the person who could be counted on to be reasonable. Other people led lives of messy emotion, she was the one that could be relied upon to help them clean up the mess.
She was stable and structured and even a little boring in some ways. No surprises, no real passion, and no real pain. But, underneath all that lived a woman who could rage and fight and hurt like anyone else. A woman who could be passionate and difficult and not at all reasonable. A woman who could love deeply.
Sharon’s head dropped to her hands. There, that was the crux of it. People who loved deeply risked being deeply hurt. And in the last ten days, she had fallen passionately, deeply, foolishly in love with Liken. There was nothing cautious or reasonable about it. It was utterly ridiculous. It made absolutely no sense, but it was undeniable.
He made her feel out of control. He challenged her and seduced her and pushed her at every turn. It was frightening, but she had never felt so alive in her life. He was arrogant and domineering at times. He could be sweetly tender and giving. Physically, he was a fantasy male come to life. Sometimes, he understood her better than she understood herself. At other times, she wondered if he knew her at all. All she knew was that the last ten days had been the most incredible, happiest, most confusing days of her life. And she didn’t want it to end. She wanted to spend the rest of her life loving and fighting with Liken.
She thought of the library on Earth, her job, her friends. She knew she could get a job on Shimeria, probably even at the local Earth library with Gar. Her heart twisted in her chest at the thought of being separated from Kate. More than anything right now she wished Kate were here so that she could talk to her and tell her how she felt. Of course, if Tair had his way, Kate might be living here, too. She cheered at that thought.
The bottom line, though, wasn’t whether she should give up her old life or not. The bottom line was whether she had the guts to step out on a very high limb. She would have to start a new life on an alien planet with a man she loved-a man who might or might not love her back.
She thought sometimes he did love her. When he looked at her with such melting tenderness, she could almost believe it. But, at other times, she felt like a possession he had claimed and wouldn’t give up. He had tried very hard to make her happy, but she wasn’t sure if it was to make her stay or if he loved her enough to want to see her happy. She had felt his affection and happiness run through her many times. She could make him happy in the long run. She was almost sure of it. They could have a good life together. Did she have the guts to try?
Sharon felt her heart pound at the thought. She had come to a strange planet. She had slept with an alien and eaten weird food. She had yelled and cussed and been completely unreasonable at times. She had two men with a doorway into her head, and a near threesome under her belt. Did she have the guts to grab her own happiness? Hell, yes she did!
Her head came up and a huge smile filled her face. The old Sharon would have stayed sitting on the bed half the day, listing all of the reasons why it was a bad idea to let emotion rule. The new Sharon stood up and headed for the bathroom. She was going to see Liken and tell him she was staying. She was going to risk everything and tell him she loved him.
Her confident steps faltered as she thought of his reaction. What if he stared at her blankly or worse, uneasily thanked her in response? Well, then, she’d just have to kill him. She strode into the bathroom like a soldier headed off to battle. Kate would have applauded.
Chapter 14
An hour later, having eaten and showered, she headed out the front door dressed in a shimmering blue blouse and skirt. It was the outfit they had purchased during their shopping trip. She didn’t care if the outfit was more revealing than anything she had ever worn on Earth.Besides, she knew it was the most flattering thing she owned.Her hair was gleaming around her shoulders and she felt ready to take on the world.
She had seen Liken’s office a few days ago. On one of their trips into town, he had taken her by and given her a tour of the place. His coworkers had been curious about her, but unfailing gracious and charming. Their respect and affection for Liken had been apparent.
Sharon had considered waiting until he returned home from the office in the afternoon, but had decided against it. She had made her decision and was eager to forge ahead. Besides, being impulsive for a change wasn’t a bad thing. Liken’s work hadn’t sounded critical, merely something minor that couldn’t be put off. She would surprise him with her visit and give him a good reason to rush home.
Entering the building where he worked, she began walking toward his office in the back. A few people smiled and greeted her, but she answered them with brief, friendly responses and kept walking. She couldn’t wait to see Liken. She reached the doorway of his office and felt her entire body turn rigid with disbelief.
Liken was embracing a petite redhead. His mouth was moving over hers with gentle hunger and she was responding with enthusiasm. She could feel his tenderness for the woman run through her in one long wave. Sharon’s mind blanked. A pain so sharp it felt fatal hit her in the chest. Disillusionment and agony cut her to the bone. When she could draw a breath, the words tumbled out from her mind to her mouth without a second in between.
“You cheating bastard.” Her voice was actually soft, but his head came up with a snap. She must have screamed it in her mind because he winced in pain and brought a hand to his head. He looked shocked to see her. The redhead turned in surprise. Sharon’s face was without an ounce of color. Her voice shook as she said, “I thought I would surprise you by showing up. I guess I did.”
Liken took a step toward her, but she threw up her hand in response. He spoke her name, “Sharon…” but that was all he had time to get out before she spoke again.
“So you had to go into the office today, huh?” She looked at the redhead, who was beginning to frown in confusion. She said flatly, “I’m his pactmate.” The woman’s eyes widened.
Sharon felt a welcoming numbness spread through her, overcoming the pain. Liken said firmly, “Sharon, you must listen to me…”
She cut him off. “No, I don’t need to listen. “ Looking at the redhead, she said, “You’re welcome to the faithless asshole. Enjoy him while you can.” She looked back at Liken. “You can go to hell.” With fragile dignity, she turned and started walking away quickly.
She heard the woman say “Liken?” in a throaty, questioning voice. His voice murmured in response. She sped up. Reaching the doorway of the building, she started to run. She could hear his voice behind her yelling, “Sharon, wait!” but she didn’t stop. She kept running, taking side paths at random, one after another, wanting only to escape.
She ran until her legs ached and her eyes were too blurred to see where she was going. She finally stopped and looked around. She was in the park area. Walking to a tree with huge red leaves, she sat down under it and drew her knees to her chest. She took gasping breaths and stared blindly ahead. She couldn’t even cry. The shock and pain were so deep that her chest hurt, but her eyes remained dry. She sat in rigid silence, totally unaware of her surroundings.
Her mind raced in frantic circles as she strove to block the image of Liken and the redhead from her mind. He had feelings for that woman. That kiss was not platonic. It had been passionate. She had been on her way to tell him… The first edge of anger shot through her. And he had been… He was a bastard, plain and simple. Fuck risking, and destiny, and most especially fuck that cheating Liken.
Chapter 15
Liken was sitting his office alone when Tair appeared in his doorway. Leanin
g back in the chair, he said wearily in English, “Hello, brother.”
Liken leaned negligently against the frame. “Hello, brother?” he echoed. “Is that all you wish to say?”
Liken arched an eyebrow. “What is it you expect me to say?”
Tair shook his head and walked across the office, dropping into the chair across from Liken. “I do not know. It seems so mundane when your pactmate has been screaming in my head.”
Looking at Liken closely, his eyes widened. “You, however, are conveniently blocking her and are left unaffected.”
Liken laughed, although it sounded hollow. “Unaffected? You are wrong. Nonetheless, I am blocking her because I gave oath that I would not scan her thoughts this day.”
His brother was an idiot. Tair gave him an amazed look. “Why would you do such a thing?”
“She wanted privacy to sort out her thinking, she said.” Liken sounded as if the weight of the world pressed him from all sides.
Tair gave a snort. What a mess. “Well, I believe she needs to do a great deal more sorting now. She believes you have betrayed her with Elana.”
Liken felt the pain of it strike home. “I know.” He kept seeing her face in his mind. When he had looked at her, the agony and distrust on her face had struck him like a blow. He had stood there in shock unable to move or to think. In that moment he had believed she was lost to him forever. She would never trust him enough to stay.
He could bind her to him sexually. He could physically keep her with him. But, he could not force her to love him or trust him. She had to give it freely. He felt helpless and confused.
When they took the oath, he arrogantly thought he could make her want to stay. He was a Shimerian warrior, a guardian, used to righting wrongs and winning. She was a woman, physically smaller and weaker. She was inexperienced sexually and would be easily seduced. She would give up her old life and make a life with him on Shimeria. He would make her want him and want this life.
Now, those thoughts seemed foolish and amazingly selfish. He couldn’t force her to love him or trust him. She would not stay without those things. The realization was devastating and humbling.
Tair sighed. This pactmate business was trickier than it had seemed. He asked, “What are you going to do?”
Liken shrugged. “I will give her time and then we shall see.” He couldn’t seem to get the look on her face out of his mind.
It was Tair’s turn to lift an eyebrow. “She is hurting, thinking the worst. Do you not care?”
Liken’s glare would have knocked a lesser man than Tair from his chair. “Shebringspain to herself with her own distrust. I will explain later.”
Tair knew his brother enough to know the real hurt underneath that anger. He said quietly, “I think your own wounds prevent you from seeking to heal hers.”
The accusation was pure truth and Liken couldn’t deny it. “True enough. I am angry. She should have asked for an explanation instead of assuming the worst.”
Tair laughed. His voice rang with skepticism, “As you would have done if you had found her kissing an unknown male?”
Liken felt instant rage at the mere thought. “I would not have left without demanding answers.”
Tair made a mock sound of sudden discovery and said, “Ahhhh. So you were doubly wounded. That dignified exit was lowering, was it?”
Liken looked and sounded defeated as he said, “She was so controlled. No woman who loves a man could have acted in that manner.”
Tair’s face was sympathetic, but his eyes were amused. “Why would you care? She does not have to love you to stay and be pledged. She is but a woman.”
Liken’s voice was just short of a yell. “I love her. Are you satisfied? Will you cease this endless prodding?”
She was beautiful, and frustrating, and intelligent, and stupid. She made him angry, she made him laugh, and she made him ache with sweet pleasure. She was perfect and riddled with faults and everything in between. He would love her until his dying breath, and probably beyond it. It infuriated him. She infuriated him.
Tair laughed, not unkindly. “At last. I was about to lose all hope for you, brother. Now, let us see if we can get past those wounds to the truth. Why would she hurt so much if she had no love for you?”
The words pierced Liken’s emotion and cleared his mind. “Why, indeed?” His heart lifted. She had to love him to react so strongly.
He felt another wave of pain at the thought of her distrust. “She may love me, but she does not trust me. I think she does not even trust herself.”
Tair sighed. “True enough. I am out of questions and answers, brother. Would you like me to find her and bring her to you?” As their link, he was responsible for her protection, but volunteering was really more of an impulse to help.
Liken shook his head. “No. It seems now I am the one who must sort his thoughts. She will come home when she is ready. She is much stronger and more passionate than she thinks. She will demand answers. I have no doubt. Would you just watch over her until then? Make sure she is alright?”
“Of course,” Tair replied. Hehated to think that Liken and Sharon might not work their problems out. They were perfect for each other, even if they didn’t seem to understand it yet.He asked, “And will your answers persuade her to stay? Will she trust you?”
Liken stared at his brother. “I guess that is one question only time will answer.” At the moment, the thought was not encouraging.
Chapter 16
Sharon sat under the tree for quite some time. Several hours passed as thoughts swirled like a storm in her head. Eventually, the pain settled like an aching weight in her chest but her mind had cleared somewhat. She couldn’t reconcile Liken lying to her and making love with another woman while committed to her. He had been honest with her in the past, although not always forthright. She would have bet her life that he was a faithful, honorable man. In a way, she had bet her life. Her new life.
It didn’t make sense. Fury filled her. Since she’d stepped onto this planet, a lot of things hadn’t made sense. It had been one surprise after another. She had found herself and risked everything and been crushed in the end. Well, she could crawl back into her shell and never come out. Or she could get back up, and face him and demand a few answers. If she turned messy, and emotional, and ugly, then he would just have to deal with it. He had broken her heart, but she would survive it.
She wasn’t going back to the person she had been before him. She wasn’t running from anyone or anything ever again. Being cautious and reasonable might produce a safe and comfortable life, but she wanted more than safety. She deserved more. And she would have it. Even without Liken.
Her eyes focused on her surroundings for the first time. She recognized where she was and felt a quick pang of relief that she was in the park and could find her way home. She stood up. Tair stepped out from the shadows of a huge tree to her right. She was startled. “How long have been there?”
He shrugged in response. His face was a remote mask. “I will escort you home.”
“I don’t need an escort.” Her voice was sharper than she meant it to be. “I know the way.”
He stared at her with a coolness that was chilling. “Nonetheless, I will walk with you.”
She had no idea what he was thinking or feeling. He seemed distant and unapproachable. Now it was her turn to shrug. “Fine.”
They turned and began walking. When he remained silent beside her, she angled her head up at him and frowned. She was the injured party here. “What’s your problem?”
Again, he leveled her with that chilling gaze. He remained silent. She said coolly, “Whatever.” She would deal with Tair after she dealt with Liken. She was saving all her energy for the confrontation with Liken.
They walked in silence until they reached the pathway to the house. As they approached the doorway, Tair paused and put a hand on her arm. She stopped and turned to face him with a questioning glance. He searched her face and then said with cool precisi
on, “You never greeted me. You will do so now.”
“What?” She was totally confused.
He smiled grimly. “I am your link. You never greeted me, Sharon.”
Her eyes widened in response and her mouth fell open a little in surprise. He wanted her to kiss him? Now?
His mouth came down on hers ruthlessly before she had a chance to respond. He thrust his tongue past her parted lips and explored her mouth like he owned it. Her hands came to his chest to reflexively push him away. He merely wrapped his arms around her tightly and continued the punishing kiss.
She realized that her heart hadn’t been carved out of her chest. It was beating frantically. She could feel treacherous arousal begin to spread through her body. Without conscious thought, her lips and tongue began a dance of response. She wanted him, but only in a physical sense. She didn’t love him. He wasn’t Liken. Just the thought of Liken and the pain in her chest ached like a dull tooth. The kiss gentled, and finally, he lifted his head. “You will remember this.”
She was totally confused again. “What?” Did he mean remember him after she left for Earth?
His smile was wicked and the warmth had come back into his eyes.This was the Tair she remembered well, not the cold, cruel man from the eatery.“Goodbye, Sharon.” He walked away from her in the direction of town.
Sharon stood there, feeling perplexed. Mentally throwing up her hands, she turned and walked to the front door. She hit the button and it slipped open in immediate response. She braced herself and walked in.
Walking into the living room, she saw Liken casually sitting on the sofa. He looked up at her and raised an eyebrow as she strode to the center of the room. He didn’t look upset. He looked perfectly calm.
How could he look so normal when she was dying inside? It was the last insult to her battered heart. Her voice could have cut glass. “I am going to discuss this morning with you. While we do it, you are keeping your hands to yourself. When we’re done here, you’re packing a few things and staying somewhere else. With Tair or with your girlfriend, I really don’t care. But, you are not touching me again. On the twenty-first, we’ll go back and file incompatible. I deserve better than a faithless liar.”