by Celia Kyle
Erudan frowned, and while he considered his response, she couldn’t help noticing all the other friendly looks and smiles that came their way. She found herself smiling back at the rainbow of aliens, all of whom seemed to know her mate.
Yes. Her mate. She just had to work on a way to convince him. And not only because of the whole back-on-Earth mess.
She wanted to be part of this life. The life where she could stand in a busy market, gazing into her mate’s eyes while people embraced life around them.
A few of the strangers furrowed their brows when they realized she responded on Erudan’s behalf. Okay, more than a few. Most seemed to put two and two together and she blushed as pleasant smiles turned into knowing grins. One alien even blinked a half-dozen eyes in what she assumed was a wink.
“Uh…” He frowned and blinked, his brow furrowed when she finally had his attention. “Yes, I believe that was a friend.”
Oh, sweet male. She hugged him, sliding her arm behind his back and around his waist. “You sound surprised.”
His gaze caressed her face. “I am not a male who has friends.”
“Uh-huh. If that’s true then the people of Vialea have the worst manners.” At his puzzled expression, she tipped her head toward the surging crowd. “They’ve all decided to crash the friendship party.”
He tore his attention from her and scanned the market as if seeing it for the first time. Even with the greetings she’d intercepted, there were still more who reached out to him with smiles, a kind word, and even a pat on the arm.
Erudan gradually relaxed, his own smile making a brief appearance through the thundercloud scowl he usually wore. They strolled side by side, and even his tense body softened along with his expression.
Okay, maybe softened wasn’t one hundred percent right. With every brush against him, she was more and more convinced he was a yummy, rock-solid male right to his core. But he did seem to lose the roughest edge of hardness.
He also held Rhea gentler, which was the best part of all. And also, the worst, because if she had to endure—enjoy—one more minute of his torturous caress on her hip, she was going to climb him like a hewo in front of everyone.
It wasn’t long before his hand fell away and he reached for a flowing fabric curtain. Tiny bells tinkled with the movement and she realized they’d somehow walked to a shop while she hadn’t been paying attention.
“We will find you clothing here.”
She nodded and stepped toward the opening, but a flash of bright blue caught her eye, stopping her in her tracks. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.” His expression told her he was mystified. Like she was a weirdo for asking to ask.
Whatever.
Rhea reached out and ran her fingertips down the length of slippery blue fabric. “Why did you grab me like that earlier? When I wanted to look at that scarf.”
“When you approached the open hovcar displaying its wares?”
She nodded. “Yeah, that.”
He grimaced and lowered his head, placing his lips against her ear. “This is an open trading post. All are permitted to display their wares. Some do not care to share space with merchants of different species. They separate themselves.”
“Uh… okay?” Was he saying he was a speciesist? No way. He couldn’t—
“I prefer to support a shopkeeper who is happy to share and embrace all regardless of the impact on their business.”
Rhea arched her brows. “You go out of your way to buy from shops who welcome everyone. They’re the minority in Ikkim, aren’t they?”
“I ally myself with those who need allies.”
Yup, she melted into a puddle. She gave him a quick, impulsive kiss on the cheek and entered the shop without hesitation.
The space was packed, cluttered in all the best ways. Everywhere Rhea looked she was met with color. So much she wanted to leap into the stacks and racks as if they were autumn leaves raked high.
Low, exotic music came from somewhere. The rhythm balanced between seductive and lively and she swayed her hips, unable to remain still while she dug through clothes.
“Love it!” She turned to another rack. “This is so much better than pawing through the trunk of a hovcar. Thank you—oh!”
Two compact little aliens no higher than her waist burst through a different bell-decorated curtain. They giggled like mad as they raced toward her. Instead of two arms like humans, they each possess several tentacles that waved wildly in their excitement.
“’Dan!” One of the young ones squealed as it flung its tentacles around Erudan’s legs.
“’Dan! ‘Dan! ‘Dan!” Both took up the chant.
Their nickname for Erudan made her smile so wide her cheeks hurt in what she thought was the best ache ever. Then he hunkered down to their level and gathered them close in an affectionate hug.
Right there, her ovaries exploded.
She’d always been indifferent when it came to kids. The Department of Population’s breeding program turned reproduction into a law. It didn’t make sense to dream of having a family. Anyone who wanted kids needed a mate. Otherwise they could give birth and hand the child to someone else.
When her ex popped the question and put a ring on her finger, Rhea had finally allowed herself to imagine life as a mother. That was part—one of many—of why her father’s deceit and her ex’s betrayal hurt so much. She’d allowed herself to dream and their collusion had stomped that dream out of existence.
Could Erudan put it back together?
Rhea looked on while Erudan answered a barrage of questions fired at him in two high-pitched voices. Up until that moment, she’d attributed her heartbreak to… well, heartbreak. But now, watching Erudan with the young aliens, she wondered whether there hadn’t been a different reason for the pain. Maybe losing her ex hadn’t hurt her heart, but losing her future.
The children’s curtain tinkled again, someone else emerging through the swath of fabric.
Rhea’s eyes widened as she got her first look at who could only be the children’s mother. Like her young, the female had tentacles in place of arms. They glinted with thin bands of gem-encrusted metals, the way a woman would stack rings on her fingers or bangles on her wrists. She was dressed in a filmy, flowy garment that made Rhea think of old fairytales and gypsy curses.
Rhea knew it was rude to stare, but she couldn’t seem to make herself stop. In short, this alien female was beautiful.
The newcomer clucked her tongue in the human fashion of admonishment and said something in a language Rhea didn’t understand.
Erudan glanced up, wearing a grin that made Rhea stare with her mouth hanging open. “Making them give up their favorite toy so soon, Zav?”
Zav had to be the name of the shopkeeper and mother. Rhea slowly pulled her gaze from Erudan before she drooled on the shop floor. All that sexiness playing with and teasing two kids… Who knew her growly Vian warrior had a playful, indulgent side?
“No. I am teaching them the value of good customers and respect for their Teon.” The words were stern, but her tone was gentle. There was enough amusement that Rhea knew the adorable squid-like children got away with plenty.
Rhea loved her instantly.
Erudan flashed a mock-pout and Rhea’s eyebrows crawled all the way to her bangs. He squeezed the young pair, whispered something to them, and then rose. They watched the children scurry off and then turned their attention on… her.
She hadn’t been expecting to be the sudden recipient of two pairs of eyes and squirmed beneath their stare. She blushed, realized her mouth still hung open, and snapped it shut.
She offered Zav a sheepish smile. “Good morning. Your children are adorable.”
Zav chuckled. “They are spoiled by their Teon.”
Teon? Zav had used that word twice now. Rhea opened her mouth to ask for a translation, but Erudan moved close.
He touched her elbow, speaking before she could. “Zav this is my… Rhea. She requires new garm
ents.”
“Does she?” Zav emitted a vibrating sound that Rhea would call a thoughtful hum. The alien’s eyes twinkled as she spoke. “Would these be formal garments she requires?”
Rhea wanted to put the brakes on the idea of formal wear. Except for political events and press conferences, Rhea didn’t do formal.
Her horror must have shown because Zav laughed. She glided forward and wrapped one tentacle around Rhea’s shoulders. “I see. Come, I have many things for you. I will not allow you to leave unprepared for the world you will enter.”
Was it that obvious she was new to Vialea? Had she already done or said something rude and newbie-ish?
Rhea nibbled her lip as Zav led her on a tour of the shop, pointing out styles Rhea might like.
Zav chatted with a mix of friendly warmth tempered with professionalism. Without even realizing it, Rhea found herself sharing details of her travels on the Celestial Goruza and her arrival. When Zav gasped in horror at mention of the thief who’d stolen her belongings and shot a small glare at Erudan, Rhea winced.
“It wasn’t his fault.” She rushed to defend Erudan, scrambling for a story that wasn’t a total lie. “Uh…” Couldn’t she think of anything? “There was some confusion about the Celestial Goruza’s schedule. There was some mix up with the staff and maybe they were in a hurry.” Rhea forced a smile to her lips. “Erudan stepped in as soon as he could.”
“Stepped in?” Zav emphasized the words as if the phrase was strange to her.
Which, Rhea figured, it probably was. She just kept messing up.
“Uh, let’s just say things got a little hairy. You know how people get when there’s a full moon and all.” She waved her hand as if that full moon hovered above them at that moment.
Shrieks of laughter and a crash from the front of the shop distracted Zav, saving Rhea from even more fumbling. Zav encouraged her to explore the fabrics before rushing off to investigate the sounds.
Everything was so soft and beautiful. She wasn’t much of a shopper since most of her wardrobe was handled by her father’s people. Here she relished the tactile experience. She lost herself in running her hands over the cloth while she moved around the shop. She swayed her hips to the music and grinned at Zav’s joy-filled, energetic kids.
“You have not made any selections. Is this shop not to your liking?”
Rhea jumped and squeaked when Erudan’s voice filled her ear. She’d been so distracted by Zav snagging her kids, using tentacles to secure their wiggly bodies, that she hadn’t sensed his approach.
She whirled, hand over her startled heart. “Don’t sneak up on someone like that.”
He frowned. “I did not sneak.”
“You totally snuck.”
“I did not sneak. Only thieves do this sneaking.”
She stifled a grin. “In my world, that was a full-on ninja creep. But if you want to call it a thief move, maybe I should check your pockets to make sure you’re not trying for a five-finger discount.”
She narrowed her eyes and gave him her best suspicious visual scan. She let her gaze rove over him. His tunic was snug and well-fitted across his shoulders and chest. There wasn’t room for anything except his powerful form beneath that tight top.
In the interest of being thorough, she continued her examination southward. Erudan’s defined abs tensed as though he responded to a physical touch.
Then she was touching him. Her fingertips grazed the hard ridges of his stomach. His heat reached through the layers of his clothing. Would he burn her if she edged her hands beneath his tunic and explored the texture of his skin? The way he’d allowed her to caress his face?
Just as her touch strayed down, drawn toward the thickness that had her so curious, he groaned and trapped her palm against his stomach. She snapped back to awareness and remembered their surroundings. Mortification swept over her and she tried to tug her hand away from his, but he held her trapped a moment longer.
She stared at their nearly joined hands, half-wishing it was the first hints of their bodies joining. Because they would totally get down and dirty in the middle of the shop. They’d use a soft pile of blouses to make a luxurious bed.
Riiight.
Erudan released a strangled sound. “You must stop.”
“Um, okay.” Probably not a good idea to tell him she didn’t think she could. She slowly released a shaky breath and peeked at him, about to suggest he be the one to step away first. She wasn’t sure she was capable of movement. Like, ever again.
A breeze through an open window fluttered a curtain, letting the light in just so. The beam played over his arms, neck, and face, making it look like sun dappled through leaves. It gave him the illusion of changing colors in a rippling pattern of green. It wasn’t the first time she’d witnessed his skin changing color. In his kitchen that morning as he’d leaned over her, their bodies so close, the same thing happened.
“Your skin is green,” she blurted without thinking.
Erudan’s face tightened. “It is irrelevant.”
“It’s not always green, though. Is something wrong?” She rolled her eyes. “Of course, something’s wrong. You’re not usually green and now you are,” she mumbled to herself and then took a step back. “You know, your glare is kind of scary. Well, not scary-scary. You’ve never made me afraid of you, but you look…”
She was babbling and she knew it. Rhea sucked in a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Erudan did look defensive, suspicious, angry, and… turned on? Yes, he looked all of those. His face revealed an unending mural of emotions that didn’t mesh very well.
She reached for him, helping herself to another touch as she laid her hand on his cheek. His gaze shifted from something behind her and focused on her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” She kept her voice low, soothing. “Please tell me.”
He inhaled and shook his head roughly, like a puppy shedding water. His expression eased, but she could tell the relaxation was forced. “It is nothing. We must focus on you. You need clothes. Do you have a problem with this store? Do you wish to shop elsewhere?”
Rhea wrinkled her nose. “What? No. Why would I want to… oh.” She recalled his reasoning for redirecting her from the first vendor to this small shop and she shook her head. “This place is perfect. I’m happy you gave me the opportunity to meet your friend and support her business.”
His cheeks darkened. Was he embarrassed? He tugged on the collar of his tunic as if it strangled him and then nodded at the display behind her. “Good. The day grows late. We still have much to do. I will send Zav to assist you.”
Oh, right. His to-do list, which included putting her on a spaceship back to Earth. Her heart sank.
The metallic bangle of bracelets tinkled as Zav swept into view. Her tentacles were piled high with a mountain of garments.
“You insult me, Teon. I am well aware Rhea needs me and now I am here.” Zav beamed at Rhea and waved a free tentacle toward a nearby bank of doors. “Come, let us replace your stolen clothing with a wardrobe befitting a—“
Erudan coughed. “I will see to the children.”
“Ah-ah, I think not.” Zav glided away, pausing long enough to shake the tip of a tentacle at him in an admonishing way that only a mother could. “Rhea will want your thoughts about her choices.”
Rhea found herself agreeing with the alien woman. “Yes, please.”
Why she wanted the opinion of a male intent on throwing her away, she didn’t know, but she did. She was an independent woman capable of making her own decisions. That didn’t banish the desire to please Erudan.
Every last inch of her was deeply aware of Erudan’s overwhelming presence as he silently followed them.
“Teon, you shall remain here.” Zav pointed at a padded bench. Without waiting for a response, the woman ushered Rhea into a spacious fitting room.
The clothes Zav chose were a mix of basics—pants and blouses—as well as a few dresses that looked way too elegant for Rhea’s needs while
on Vialea. And then there was the lingerie…
Cheeks hot, Rhea tried to refuse the latter two. “I don’t think I’ll be needing any of this. I have a few changes of underwear and panties, and I usually sleep in a t-shirt.”
Zav’s tentacles undulated in a patter she recognized as an objection. “No, no, no. When a male looks upon a female the way Teon looks at you, you will not want to wear something as ugly as underwear.” Zav shuddered. “These will enhance the firez.”
Zav lowered her voice to a purr when she said that last word, which was unusual enough to snag Rhea’s attention. She opened her mouth to ask about it, but Zav was quick with all those tentacles. She was already out the door and pulling it closed behind her, leaving Rhea alone.
Argh.
Sighing, Rhea stripped to her underwear and stared down at the panties that’d served her well. Okay, they were a bit older and more than a little on the homely side. She’d chosen them for comfort during her travels over the good lacy stuff in her stolen suitcase. Not that anything she owned could hold a sexy candle to Zav’s selections.
Rhea avoided the sheer, filmy garments like they might bite her fingers off and reached for a pair of pants and fitted top, neither anything like what she would have bought for herself. The fabric clung to her body, tight and outlining her every curve from top to bottom. No, this stuff wasn’t her style at all.
She reached for the hem of the top and tugged it up, but the sound of Erudan’s voice made her hesitate. His deep murmur and the way his voice rose at the end made her think he asked a question. About her? About seeing her in Zav’s clothing? Before she could talk herself out of it, Rhea threw open the door and walked out to face the great big alien.
Erudan sat sprawled across a bench, long arms stretched along the back, thighs splayed wide in what was apparently a universal man pose. His attention remained on Zav, who stood nearby folding garments, but the moment Rhea appeared, he fell silent.
Literally, the split-second he realized she was present, he shut up. He was mid-sentence, but the instant his gaze touched her, his voice cut off.